The U.S. Census Bureau reported new orders for manufactured durable goods in April decreased $4.2 billion, or 1.7%, to $248.5 billion. This decrease, down following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 2.7% March increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.9%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.9%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $5.6 billion, or 6.1%, to $87.1 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, down following eight consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.1 billion, or 0.1%, to $246.7 billion. This followed a 0.7% March increase. Transportation equipment, down following three consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $1.8 billion, or 2.1%, to $82.8 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in April, up five of the last six months, increased $5.5 billion, or 0.5%, to $1,153.4 billion. This followed a 0.8% March increase. Transportation equipment, also up five of the last six months, led the increase, $4.2 billion, or 0.5%, to $796.2 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in April, up 17 of the last 18 months, increased $1.2 billion, or 0.3%, to $401.7 billion. This followed a 0.2% March increase. Fabricated metal products, up 15 of the last 16 months, led the increase $0.4 billion, or 0.8%, to $52.0 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in April decreased $5.7 billion, or 6.8%, to $78.6 billion. Shipments decreased $3.6 billion, or 4.6%, to $74.1 billion. Unfilled orders increased $4.5 billion, or 0.6%, to $713.9 billion. Inventories increased $0.8 billion, or 0.5%, to $176.1 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in April increased $0.3 billion, or 3.1%, to $11.0 billion. Shipments increased $1.4 billion, or 12.9%, to $12.0 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $1.1 billion, or 0.7%, to $144.7 billion. Inventories decreased $0.3 billion, or 1.4%, to $22.2 billion.