The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 2.6% increase in new orders for manufactured durable goods in March, as they jumped to $254.9 billion. This increase, up four of the last five months, followed a 3.5% February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders were virtually unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.8%. Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $6.4 billion or 7.6% to $91.4 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up 10 of the last 11 months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.3% to $250.0 billion. This followed a 0.7% February increase. Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $1.5 billion or 1.8% to $83.4 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up six of the last seven months, increased $9.3 billion or 0.8% to $1,154.0 billion. This followed a 0.3% February increase. Transportation equipment, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $8.0 billion or 1.0% to $782.8 billion

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up 20 of the last 21 months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1% to $411.0 billion. This followed a 0.4% February increase. Both fabricated metal products and machinery led the increase. Fabricated metal products, up 15 consecutive months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.6% to $52.0 billion. Machinery, up four of the last five months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.4% to $70.8 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in March increased $4.7 billion or 6.0% to $83.1 billion. Shipments increased $1.7 billion or 2.2% to $76.9 billion. Unfilled orders increased $6.3 billion or 0.9% to $716.1 billion. Inventories decreased $0.5 billion or 0.3% to $182.5 billion.

Defense new orders for capital goods in March increased $0.1 billion or 0.9% to $10.6 billion. Shipments decreased $0.3 billion or 2.7% to $10.6 billion. Unfilled orders increased less than $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $140.7 billion. Inventories also increased less than $0.1 billion or 0.2% to $23.3 billion.