Economy

Durable Goods Orders Fall 1.2% in September
Written by Sandy Williams
October 27, 2015
New orders for manufactured durable goods fell 1.2 percent in September, following a decrease of 3.0 percent in August, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Manufactured goods have been pressured by a decrease in exports due to weak global economic conditions and a strong U.S. dollar that makes pricing for U.S. products less competitive.
Transportation orders led the decrease, falling 2.9 percent to $75.5 billion. Orders for core goods, excluding transportation and defense, fell 0.4 percent.
The text of the report for September follows:
New Orders. New orders for manufactured durable goods in September decreased $2.9 billion or 1.2 percent to $231.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This decrease, down two consecutive months, followed a 3.0 percent August decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.4 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 2.0 percent. Transportation equipment, also down two consecutive months, led the decrease, $2.2 billion or 2.9 percent to $75.5 billion.
Shipments. Shipments of manufactured durable goods in September, up three of the last four months, increased $0.4 billion, or 0.2 percent, to $242.5 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent August decrease. Transportation equipment, also up three of the last four months, drove the increase, $0.5 billion or 0.6 percent to $81.0 billion.
Unfilled Orders. Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in September, down two consecutive months, decreased $6.6 billion or 0.6 percent to $1,187.4 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent August decrease. Transportation equipment, also down two consecutive months, led the decrease, $5.5 billion or 0.7 percent to $794.1 billion.
Inventories. Inventories of manufactured durable goods in September, down four of the last five months, decreased $1.3 billion, or 0.3 percent, to $399.4 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent August decrease. Transportation equipment, down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $1.0 billion or 0.8 percent to $131.3 billion.
Capital Goods. Nondefense new orders for capital goods in September decreased $5.9 billion or 7.6 percent to $72.2 billion. Shipments decreased $0.4 billion or 0.6 percent to $79.8 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $7.6 billion or 1.0 percent to $752.2 billion. Inventories increased $0.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $176.2 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in September increased $1.1 billion or 12.3 percent to $9.7 billion. Shipments increased $0.3 billion or 3.1 percent to $10.3 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $148.2 billion. Inventories decreased $0.8 billion or 3.5 percent to $22.8 billion.
Revised August Data. Revised seasonally adjusted August figures for all manufacturing industries were: new orders, $471.3 billion (revised from $473.0 billion); shipments, $479.4 billion (revised from $480.1 billion); unfilled orders, $1,194.1 billion (revised from $1,195.0 billion); and total inventories, $647.8 billion (revised from $648.4 billion).

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Economy

AMU: Consumer auto delinquencies: Warning sign for consumer health?
The Consumer Federation of America estimates rising total auto debt at a staggering $1.66 trillion, along with increasing repossessions and a sharp increase in delinquencies.

Beige Book: Regional market growth remains mostly flat
Economic growth in some US regions in September was offset by challenges in others, causing the market to appear largely unchanged overall, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report.

ISM September survey captures deepening manufacturing gloom
The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) latest monthly report on manufacturing reflects a bleak view of American industry in September.

Key industries concerned over government shutdown’s impact on steel, manufacturing
Trade groups cautioned that a prolonged shutdown could strain US industry.

Chicago Business Barometer catches cold winds of contraction in September
The Chicago Business Barometer's September reading indicates a softening in overall business activity in the Midwest for the third consecutive month, with new orders and backlogs retreating further.