New Orders for Durable Goods Up 1% in October

New orders for manufactured durable goods increased $2.8 billion, or 1%, to $277.4 billion in October, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau on Nov. 23.

This increase, up seven of the last eight months, followed a 0.3% increase in September. Transportation equipment, up six of the last seven months, drove the increase at 2.1%.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods, up 17 of the last 18 months, increased 0.4% in October. This a 0.3% September increase. Machinery, up 19 of the last 20 months, led the increase at 1.3%.

Unfilled orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods, up 26 consecutive months, increased 0.6% in October, following a 0.5% increase in September. Transportation equipment, up 20 of the last 21 months, led unfilled orders with a 1% increase.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods, up 21 consecutive months, increased 0.2% in October, equivalent to inventories’ September increase. Machinery, up 24 consecutive months, drove the increase at 1.1%.

Capital goods

Nondefense new orders for capital goods increased 1.9% in October. Shipments increased 1.3%, unfilled orders increased 1.1% and inventories increased 0.4%.

Defense new orders for capital goods, meanwhile, increased 3.3% in October. Inventories decreased 0.5%, unfilled orders decreased 0.1% and inventories increased 0.7%.