US Durable Goods Climbs by Three-Month High in August

Source: US Census Bureau

US durable goods orders climbed for the fourth straight month in August, marking the highest growth in three months.

• New orders for manufactured durable goods in August grew 1.8% to $4.6 billion to $263.5 billion, following the 0.5% climb in July.
• The increase was led by transportation equipment, up by $4.2 billion or 5.5% to $80.8 billion. New orders jumped 0.2% excluding transportation and 2.4% excluding defense. 
• Shipments fell $1.2 billion or 0.5% to $256.1 billion, led by transportation equipment which dropped 2.7% to $73.5 billion.
• Unfilled orders grew $11.8 billion or 1.0% to $1.239 trillion, while inventories increased 0.8% to $457.9 billion.
• Orders for nondefense capital goods increased $7.4 billion or 9.0% to $89.9 billion, with growths recorded in shipments, unfilled orders, and inventories.
• Decreases were registered in defense orders for capital goods, shipments, unfilled orders, and inventories.