According to the U.S. Census Bureau, new orders for manufactured durable goods in December increased $7.0 billion, or 2.9%, to $249.4 billion. This increase, up four of the last five months, followed a 1.7% November increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.6%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.2%. Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, led the increase, $6.0 billion, or 7.4%, to $87.2 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in December, up seven of the last eight months, increased $1.5 billion, or 0.6%, to $246.8 billion. This followed a 1.3% November increase. Fabricated metal products, also up seven of the last eight months, led the increase, $0.5 billion, or 1.5%, to $33.5 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in December, up four consecutive months, increased $6.9 billion, or 0.6%, to $1,144.1 billion. This followed a 0.1% November increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $6.0 billion, or 0.8%, to $775.9 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in December, up 17 of the last 18 months, increased $1.3 billion, or 0.3%, to $406.5 billion. This followed a 0.2% November increase. Machinery, up 10 of the last 11 months, led the increase, $0.4 billion, or 0.6%, to $70.4 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in December decreased $0.1 billion, or 0.1%, to $75.1 billion. Shipments decreased $0.3 billion, or 0.4%, to $74.3 billion. Unfilled orders increased $0.9 billion, or 0.1%, to $707.3 billion. Inventories increased $0.4 billion, or 0.2%, to $180.9 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in December increased $2.1 billion, or 19.5%, to $12.8 billion. Shipments decreased less than $0.1 billion, or 0.2%, to $11.1 billion. Unfilled orders increased $1.7 billion, or 1.2%, to $143.8 billion. Inventories increased $0.2 billion, or 0.7%, to $23.2 billion.