Research >> Economics
New Orders for Durable Goods Increased 2.2%, Ex-Trans up 1.6%
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New orders for manufactured durable goods in February increased $4.5 billion or 2.2 percent to $211.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This increase, up four of the last five months, followed a 3.6 percent January decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.6 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 1.7 percent. Transportation equipment, up three of the last four months, had the largest increase, $2.1 billion or 3.9 percent to $57.9 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and parts, which increased $1.0 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.4 percent to $206.6 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent January increase. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, had the largest decrease, $1.3 billion or 2.5 percent to $49.2 billion. This followed a 5.7 percent January increase.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up twenty-two of the last twenty-three months, increased $11.5 billion or 1.3 percent to $930.3 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent January increase. Transportation equipment, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, had the largest increase, $8.6 billion or 1.6 percent to $544.0 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, up twenty-six consecutive months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $373.7 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.6 percent January increase. Machinery, up twenty-three consecutive months, had the largest increase, $0.6 billion or 0.9 percent to $62.2 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis.
Posted: March 28, 2012 Wednesday 08:30 AM