New orders for manufactured durable goods in August decreased $9.9 billion or 4.5% to $208.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced . This was the largest percentage decrease in new orders since January 2008 and followed three consecutive monthly increases including a 0.8% July increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 3%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 5.0%.
 
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $7.7 billion or 3.5% to $210.1 billion. This was the largest% decrease in shipments since December 2002 and followed a 2.3% July increase.
 
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in August, up thirty of the last thirty-one months, increased $3 billion or 0.4% to $827.2 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.8% July increase.
 
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in August, up thirteen of the last 14 months, increased $2.4 billion or 0.7% to $338.5 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.9% July increase.
 
Capital Goods Industries
Nondefense
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in August decreased $5.6 billion or 7.5% to $68.9 billion.
 
Defense
Defense new orders for capital goods in August increased $0.9 billion or 9.4% to $9.9 billion.