According to the U.S. Census Bureau, new orders for manufactured durable goods in July decreased $16.7 billion, or 6.8%, to $229.2 billion. This decrease, down three of the last four months, followed a 6.4% June increase.

Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.5%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 7.8%. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $17.4 billion, or 19.0%, to $74.3 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in July, up three consecutive months, increased $1.0 billion, or 0.4%, to $237.4 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged June increase. Transportation equipment, up two of the last three months, led the increase, $0.4 billion, or 0.5%, to $79.2 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in July, down two of the last three months, decreased $3.8 billion, or 0.3%, to $1,131.8 billion. This followed a 1.3% June increase. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, drove the decrease, $4.8 billion, or 0.6%, to $772.2 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in July, up 12 of the last 13 months, increased $1.3 billion, or 0.3%, to $398.8 billion. This followed a 0.5% June increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $0.6 billion, or 0.5%, to $129.6 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in July decreased $17.1 billion, or 20.2%, to $67.5 billion. Shipments increased $1.4 billion, or 2.0%, to $72.6 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $5.0 billion, or 0.7%, to $704.5 billion. Inventories decreased $0.4 billion, or 0.2%, to $177.5 billion.

Defense new orders for capital goods in July increased $1.5 billion, or 14.7%, to $11.7 billion. Shipments increased $0.3 billion, or 3.2%, to $10.3 billion. Unfilled orders increased $1.4 billion, or 1.0%, to $142.2 billion. Inventories increased $0.7 billion, or 3.2%, to $23.2 billion.