In its latest report on manufacturers’ shipments, inventories and orders, the U.S. Census Bureau said new orders for manufactured durable goods in August increased $0.3 billion or 0.1% to $224.9 billion.

This increase, up four of the last five months, followed an 8.1% July decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.1%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.5%.

Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $0.5 billion or 0.7% to $67.9 billion. This was driven by motor vehicles and parts, which increased $1.1 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.1 billion or 0.9% to $231.5 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a North American Industry Classification System basis in 1992, and followed a 0.1% July decrease.

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