The Commerce Department said nondefense new orders for capital goods in August increased $3.9 billion or 5.2% to $78.1 billion. Shipments increased $1.9 billion or 2.7% to $71.3 billion. Unfilled orders increased $6.7 billion or 1.3% to $516.9 billion. Inventories increased $1.9 billion or 1.1% to $166.8 billion.

Of inventories, transportation equipment, up twenty consecutive months, had the largest increase, $1.4 billion or 1.3% to $112.3 billion. Of unfilled orders, transportation equipment, up eight consecutive months, had the largest increase, $6.0 billion or 1.2% to $507.6 billion.

Overall, new orders for manufactured durable goods in August decreased $0.2 billion or 0.1% to $201.8 billion. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 4.1% July increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.1%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.1%.

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