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U.S. durable goods orders drop 4 percent—largest drop in 3 years

New orders for manufactured durable goods in January decreased $8.6 billion or 4.0 percent to $206.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Feb. 28. This is the largest drop since January 2009. The decrease, down following three consecutive monthly increases, followed a 3.2 percent December increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 3.2 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 4.5 percent.

Transportation equipment, down following two consecutive monthly increases, had the largest decrease, $3.6 billion or 6.1 percent to $55.2 billion. This was due to nondefense aircraft and parts, which decreased $3.8 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in January decreased $5.4 billion or 6.3 percent to $79.5 billion. Shipments decreased $0.6 billion or 0.9 percent to $70.9 billion. Unfilled orders increased $8.6 billion or 1.6 percent to $554.4 billion. Inventories increased $1.7 billion or 1.0 percent to $172.0 billion.

The complete report can be found here .