The U.S. Census Bureau announced new orders for manufactured durable goods in October decreased $2.8 billion to $236.0 billion. Transportation equipment, following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease.

New Orders

The Census Bureau announced new orders for manufactured durable goods in October decreased $2.8 billion or 1.2% to $236.0 billion. This decrease, down following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 2.2% September increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.4%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.8%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $3.5 billion or 4.3% to $77.1 billion.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October, up five of the last six months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1% to $241.0 billion. This followed a 1.0% September increase. Primary metals, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $0.3 billion or 1.5% to $19.9 billion.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in October, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.5 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,134.6 billion. This followed a 0.2% September increase.

Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $2.0 billion or 0.3% to $769.7 billion.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in October, up fifteen of the last sixteen months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.1% to $404.1 billion. This followed a 0.6% September increase. Primary metals, also up fifteen of the last sixteen months, led the increase, $0.1 billion or 0.4% to $33.9 billion.

Capital Goods

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in October decreased $3.4 billion or 4.5% to $72.3 billion. Shipments decreased $1.4 billion or 1.9% to $72.4 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $705.2 billion. Inventories increased less than $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $179.7 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in October decreased $1.1 billion or 9.6% to $9.9 billion. Shipments increased $0.3 billion or 2.4% to $10.9 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.9 billion or 0.7% to $142.3 billion. Inventories increased $0.2 billion or 1.0 percent to $23.6 billion.