New orders for manufactured durable goods in December decreased 3.4 percent to $230.5 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This decrease, down four of the last five months, followed a 2.1 percent November decrease.
Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.8 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 3.2 percent. Transportation equipment, also down four of the last five months, led the decrease, down 9.2 percent to $66.7 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in December, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased 1.1 percent to $246.8 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent November decrease. Transportation equipment, up three of the last four months, led the increase, up 3.1 percent to $74.5 billion.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in December, down following ten consecutive monthly increases, decreased 0.8 percent to $1,167.6 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent November increase. Transportation equipment led the decrease, down 1 percent to $740 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in December, up 20 of the last 21 months, increased 0.5 percent to $410.8 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.5 percent November increase. Transportation equipment led the increase, up 0.5 percent to $134.1 billion.
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in December decreased 9.7 percent to $73.3 billion. Shipments increased 0.2 percent to $78.9 billion. Unfilled orders decreased 0.8 percent to $732.4 billion. Inventories increased 0.5 percent to $187.5 billion.
Defense new orders for capital goods in December decreased 5.3 percent to $8.7 billion. Shipments increased 2.2 percent to $10.2 billion. Unfilled orders decreased 0.9 percent to $156.2 billion. Inventories decreased 0.3 percent to $24.1 billion.
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