New orders for manufactured durable goods in April increased 3.3 percent to $222.6 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This increase, up two of the last three months, followed a 5.9 percent March decrease.
Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.3 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.1 percent. Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, led the increase, $5.1 billion or 8.1 percent to $67.6 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and parts, which increased $1.9 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased 0.6 percent to $227.1 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent March increase. Computers and electronic products, down three of the last four months, led the decrease, down 2.9 percent to $27.6 billion. This followed a 3.3 percent March increase.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in April, up two of the last three months, increased 0.3 percent to $996.2 billion. This increase followed a 0.5 percent March decrease. Computers and electronic products, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, 0.8 percent to $131.8 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in April, up three of the last four months, increased 0.4 percent to $377.9 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992, and followed a 0.1 percent March decrease. Transportation equipment, up thirty-two of the last thirty-three months, drove the increase, 1.5 percent to $116.5 billion.
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in April increased 3.3 percent to $76.1 billion. Shipments decreased 3 percent to $71.7 billion. Unfilled orders increased 0.8 percent to $577.3 billion. Inventories increased 0.8 percent to $171.6 billion.
Defense new orders for capital goods in April increased 31.3 percent to $7.6 billion. Shipments decreased $0.6 billion or 5.6 percent to $9.6 billion. Unfilled orders decreased 1.2 percent to $168.7 billion. Inventories increased 1.5 percent to $22.4 billion.
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