New orders for manufactured durable goods in September increased $6.3 billion (3.3 percent) to $199.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced on October 27. Up two of the last three months, this increase followed a 1.0 percent August decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.8 percent.
Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.9 percent. Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, had the largest increase, $7.4 billion (15.7 percent) to $54.8 billion. This was due to non-defense aircraft and parts, which increased $6.6 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in September, down two consecutive months, decreased $900 million (0.4 percent) to $197.4 billion. This followed a 1.4 percent August decrease.
Computers and electronic products, down four of the last five months, had the largest decrease, $800 million (2.3 percent) to $33.4 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in September, up six consecutive months, increased $7.9 billion (1.0 percent) to $813.2 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent August increase.
Transportation equipment, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, had the largest increase, $5.8 billion (1.2 percent) to $480.0 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in September, up nine consecutive months, increased $1.7 billion (0.5 percent) to $314.7 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent August increase.
Transportation equipment, also up nine consecutive months, had the largest increase, $1.2 billion (1.5 percent) to $82.7 billion.
Capital Goods
Non-defense new orders for capital goods in September increased $5.7 billion (8.6 percent) to $71.9 billion. Shipments decreased $500 million (0.7 percent) to $64.7 billion. Unfilled orders increased $7.2 billion (1.5 percent) to $496.0 billion. Inventories increased $1.8 billion (1.3 percent) to $133.0 billion.
Defense new orders for capital goods in September increased $800 million (8.0 percent) to $10.1 billion. Shipments increased $500 million (5.7 percent) to $9.7 billion. Unfilled orders increased $400 million (0.3 percent) to $140.3 billion. Inventories decreased $100 million (0.5 percent) to $17.5 billion.
Revised August Data
Revised seasonally adjusted August figures for all manufacturing industries were: new orders, $410.3 billion (revised from $408.9 billion); shipments, $415.8 billion (revised from $415.1 billion); unfilled orders, $805.3 billion (revised from $804.0 billion); and total inventories, $526.9 billion (revised from $526.4 billion).