U.S. durable goods orders post biggest decline in six months

New orders for manufactured durable goods in April decreased $7.1 billion or 3.6 percent to $189.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This is the largest decline recorded in six months. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 4.4 percent March increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.5 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 3.6 percent.

Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, had the largest decrease, $4.9 billion or 9.5 percent to $46.7 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in April decreased $5.3 billion or 7.3 percent to $67.6 billion. Shipments decreased $1.1 billion or 1.6 percent to $66.0 billion. Unfilled orders increased $1.6 billion or 0.3 percent to $495.5 billion. Inventories increased $2.2 billion or 1.4 percent to $157.8 billion.

The complete report can be found here .