New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $2.2 billion, or 1.3 percent, to $176.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced on April 23. This decrease followed three consecutive monthly increases, including a 1.1 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 2.8 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 1.2 percent. Transportation equipment, down two consecutive months, had the largest decrease, $5.9 billion (12.9 percent) to $40.2 billion. This was due to non-defense aircraft and parts which decreased $6.5 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.2 billion (1.2 percent) to $182.2 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent February decrease. Machinery, up two consecutive months, had the largest increase, $1.0 billion (4.3 percent) to $24.0 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.3 billion (0.3 percent) to $719.8 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent February increase. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, had the largest decrease, $4.6 billion (1.1 percent) to $408.6 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up three consecutive months, increased $500 million (0.2 percent) to $304.7 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent February increase. Primary metals, up five consecutive months, had the largest increase, $500 million (1.8 percent) to $27.1 billion.
Capital Goods
Non-defense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $4.6 billion (7.5 percent) to $56.1 billion. Shipments increased $1.4 billion (2.4 percent) to $59.0 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $2.9 billion (0.7 percent) to $409.1 billion. Inventories decreased $500 million (0.4 percent) to $132.1 billion.
Defense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $400 million (4.0 percent) to $10.0 billion. Shipments increased $100 million (0.7 percent) to $10.9 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $900 million (0.6 percent) to $131.3 billion. Inventories decreased $100 million (0.6 percent) to $20.6 billion.
Revised February Data
Revised seasonally adjusted February figures for all manufacturing industries were: new orders, $384.3 billion (revised from $383.5 billion); shipments, $385.4 billion (revised from $384.9 billion); unfilled orders, $722.0 billion (revised from $722.2 billion); and total inventories, $499.7 billion (revised from $498.3 billion).