New orders for manufactured durable goods in December decreased $2.4 billion or 0.9% to $267.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This decrease, down following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 3.2% November increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.4%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.1%.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in December, up seven of the last eight months, increased 0.8% or $2.2 billion. This followed a 0.8% November increase. Transportation equipment, up three consecutive months, led the increase, $0.7 billion or 0.9% to $77.4 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in December, up eleven consecutive months, increased $3.3 billion or 0.7% to $473.6 billion.
Read the Census release.
