Durable Goods Orders Rose 1.2% in February

Washington, DC, March 25, 2020-New orders for manufactured durable goods in February increased $2.9 billion or 1.2% to $249.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up four of the last five months, followed a 0.1% January increase.

Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.6%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.1%. Transportation equipment, up two of the last three months, drove the increase, $3.8 billion or 4.6% to $87.0 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, up following seven consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.1 billion or 0.8% to $252.3 billion. This followed a 0.1% January decrease. Transportation equipment, also up following seven consecutive monthly decreases, drove the increase, $2.4 billion or 2.9% to $85.0 billion.