U.S. durable goods orders rise for third consecutive month

New orders for manufactured durable goods in March increased $5.0 billion or 2.5 percent to $208.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This increase, up three consecutive months, followed a 0.7 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.3 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.3 percent.

Transportation equipment, also up three consecutive months, had the largest increase, $3.1 billion or 5.9 percent to $54.7 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in March increased $2.3 billion or 3.2 percent to $73.3 billion. Shipments increased $1.4 billion or 2.1 percent to $67.2 billion. Unfilled orders increased $6.1 billion or 1.2 percent to $513.6 billion. Inventories increased $2.4 billion or 1.7 percent to $142.8 billion.

The complete report can be found here.