According to the U.S. Census Bureau, new orders for manufactured durable goods in February decreased $6.6 billion or 2.8% to $229.4 billion. This decrease, down three of the last four months, followed a 4.2% January increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.0%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.9%. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, led the decrease, $4.9 billion or 6.2% to $74.2 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, down two of the last three months, decreased $2.1 billion or 0.9% to $238.3 billion. This followed a 1.5% January increase. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $1.0 billion or 1.2% to $79.0 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February, down two of the last three months, decreased $4.2 billion or 0.4% to $1,183.7 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged January increase. Transportation equipment, down three consecutive months, drove the decrease, $4.8 billion or 0.6% to $789.1 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, down seven of the last eight months, decreased $1.1 billion or 0.3% to $394.3 billion. This followed a 0.2% January decrease. Primary metals, down 13 consecutive months led the decrease, $0.4 billion or 1.2% to $33.2 billion.

Capital Goods Nondefense new orders for capital goods in February decreased $5.9 billion or 7.5% to $72.7 billion. Shipments decreased $1.9 billion or 2.5% to $75.4 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $2.7 billion or 0.4% to $742.0 billion. Inventories decreased $0.2 billion or 0.1% to $174.7 billion.

Defense new orders for capital goods in February decreased $2.6 billion or 25.6% to $7.5 billion. Shipments decreased less than $0.1 billion or 0.2% to $9.7 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $2.2 billion or 1.5% to $148.6 billion. Inventories decreased $0.5 billion or 2.4% to $21.7 billion.