New orders for manufactured durable goods in December decreased 4.3 percent to $229.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 2.6 percent November increase.
Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.6 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 3.7 percent. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, 9.5 percent to $73.1 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and parts, which decreased $3.8 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in December, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased 1.9 percent to $232.8 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent November increase. Transportation equipment, also down following four consecutive monthly increases, led the decrease, 5.7 percent to $68.3 billion.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in December, up ten of the last eleven months, increased 0.4 percent to $1,061.5 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992, and followed a 0.9 percent November increase. Transportation equipment, up four consecutive months, drove the increase, 0.7 percent to $659.1 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in December, up eight of the last nine months, increased 0.8 percent to $387.8 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis, and followed a 0.3 percent November increase. Transportation equipment, up 19 of the last 20 months, led the increase, 1.1 percent to $122.1 billion.
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in December decreased 5 percent to $82.5 billion. Shipments increased 0.8 percent to $75.4 billion. Unfilled orders increased 1.1 percent to $642.7 billion. Inventories increased 0.7 percent to $176.7 billion.
Defense new orders for capital goods in December decreased 21.5 percent to $6.8 billion. Shipments decreased 11.5 percent to $9.6 billion. Unfilled orders decreased 1.7 percent to $161.9 billion. Inventories increased 2.1 percent to $22.9 billion.
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