The U.S. Census Bureau released its November advance report on manufacturers’ shipments, inventories and orders.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in November decreased $5.0 billion or 2.0% to $242.6 billion. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 0.2% October increase.

Excluding transportation, new orders were virtually unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders increased by 0.8%. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $4.9 billion or 5.9% to $79.2 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in November, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.2 billion or 0.1% to $251.6 billion. This followed a 0.1% October decrease. Fabricated metal products, up three of the last four months, drove the increase, $0.3 billion or 1.0% to $34.1 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in November, down two of the last three months, decreased $4.7 billion or 0.4% to $1,159.0 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged October increase. Transportation equipment, down following four consecutive monthly increases, led the decrease, $4.6 billion or 0.6% to $790.3 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in November, up 16 of the last 17 months, increased $1.8 billion or 0.4% to $434.0 billion. This followed a 0.4% October increase. Transportation equipment, also up 16 of the last 17 months, drove the increase, $1.8 billion or 1.2% to $149.3 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in November decreased $1.3 billion or 1.8% to $71.3 billion. Shipments decreased $0.7 billion or 0.9% to $74.4 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $3.1 billion or 0.5% to $684.3 billion. Inventories increased $1.1 billion or 0.6% to $196.8 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in November decreased $5.5 billion or 35.6% to $10.0 billion. Shipments decreased $0.1 billion or 0.5% to $12.8 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $2.7 billion or 1.7% to $158.2 billion. Inventories increased less than $0.1 billion or 0.2% to $24.3 billion.