New orders for manufactured durable goods decreased 1.8 percent to $228.9 billion in May, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. New orders for manufactured durable goods has been down three of the last four months. This decrease, followed a 1.5 percent decrease in April. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 2.1 percent.
Defense new orders for capital goods grew 8.2 percent to $8.8 billion as shipments increased 0.3 percent to $9.5 billion.
Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.5 percent. New orders for transportation equipment fell 6.4 percent to $71.7 billion—orders for transportation equipment have declined for three of the last four months.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods, down four of the last five months, decreased 0.1 percent to $239.9 billion, following a 0.2 percent decrease in April.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods declined in May, following twenty-three consecutive monthly increases. Inventories decreased 0.2 percent to $400.6 billion.
