New orders for manufactured durable goods in March increased $7.1 billion or 3.4% to $214.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced April 25. This was the fourth increase in the last five months and followed a 2.4% February increase.
Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.5%. Excluding defense,
new orders increased 4.5%.
Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, had the largest increase, $4.8 billion or 8% to $64.9 billion. This was due to nondefense aircraft and parts, which increased $5.6 billion.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up thirteen consecutive months, increased $0.9 billion or 0.3% to $298.8 billion. This followed a 0.1% February increase. Transportation equipment, up six of the last seven months, had the largest increase, $0.6 billion or 0.9% to $69.8 billion.