The U.S. Census Bureau reported new orders for manufactured durable goods in January decreased $9.2 billion, or 3.7%, to $239.7 billion. This decrease, following two consecutive monthly increases, followed a 2.6% December increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.3%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 2.7%. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, led the decrease, $8.6 billion, or 10.0%, to $77.7 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in January, up eight of the last nine months, increased $0.6 billion, or 0.2%, to $247.0 billion. This followed a 0.5% December increase. Transportation equipment, up two of the last three months, led the increase, $0.4 billion, or 0.5%, to $81.3 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in January, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $3.1 billion, or 0.3%, to $1,140.9 billion. This followed a 0.6% December increase. Transportation equipment, down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $3.6 billion, or 0.5%, to $771.8 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in January, up 18 of the last 19 months, increased $1.3 billion, or 0.3%, to $408.5 billion. This followed a 0.5% December increase. Transportation equipment, up two consecutive months, led the increase, $0.7 billion, or 0.5%, to $131.9 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in January decreased $1.2 billion, or 1.5%, to $73.6 billion. Shipments increased less than $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $74.4 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.7 billion, or 0.1% ,to $706.1 billion. Inventories increased $1.0 billion, or 0.5%, to $181.9 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in January decreased $3.3 billion, or 26.3%, to $9.2 billion. Shipments increased $0.4 billion, or 3.2%, to $11.5 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $2.4 billion, or 1.6%, to $141.0 billion. Inventories decreased $0.2 billion, or 0.7%, to $23.2 billion.