According to a recent report from the U.S. Commerce Department, new orders for manufactured durable goods in January increased $11.1 billion or 4.9 percent to $237.5 billion. This increase, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, followed a 4.6 percent December decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.8 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 4.5 percent.
Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led to an increase of $8.2 billion or 11.5 percent to $79.7 billion. Shipments of manufactured durable goods in January, up two of the last three months, increased $4.6 billion, or 1.9 percent, to $241.9 billion. This followed a 1.6 percent December decrease.
Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, led to an increase of $4.3 billion or 5.7 percent to $80.0 billion. Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in January, up three of the last four months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,187.7 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent December decrease.
Computers and electronic products, up twenty-five consecutive months, drove the $0.7 billion or 0.5 percent increase to $137.2 billion. Inventories of manufactured durable goods in January, down six of the last seven months, decreased $0.4 billion, or 0.1 percent, to $396.3 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent December increase. Primary metals, down twelve consecutive months drove a $0.7 billion or 2.0 percent decrease to $33.8 billion.
Non-defense new orders for capital goods in January increased $14.0 billion or 21.6 percent to $79.2 billion. Shipments increased $2.9 billion or 3.9 percent to $78.3 billion. Unfilled orders increased $0.9 billion or 0.1 percent to $743.9 billion. Inventories decreased $0.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $175.4 billion.
Defense new orders for capital goods in January increased $1.1 billion or 11.9 percent to $10.2 billion. Shipments decreased $0.5 billion or 4.8 percent to $9.6 billion. Unfilled orders increased $0.7 billion or 0.4 percent to $151.1 billion. Inventories increased $1.0 billion or 4.6 percent to $22.3 billion.