Economy
Durable Goods Stronger Than Expected
Written by Sandy Williams
September 27, 2017
Durable goods orders rose more than expected in August, picking up a gain of 1.7 percent versus a forecast for 1.0 percent, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. The increase was welcomed after a 5.8 percent decline in July. A 45 percent jump in the volatile category of nondefense aircraft orders led the increase.
Core capital goods, which exclude defense and aircraft, rose 0.9 percent and shipments of core capital goods increased 0.7 percent. Together, they indicate growing business confidence and bode well for future investment.
The Census Bureau could not determine the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey on this month’s data because the survey is designed to estimate the month‐to‐month change in manufacturing activity at the national level and not for specific geographic areas.
Durable goods are items expected to last for three or more years; orders for such goods are a measure of consumer confidence. Details of the report follow.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in August increased $3.9 billion or 1.7 percent to $232.8 billion. This increase, up two of the last three months, followed a 6.8 percent July decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.2 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.2 percent. Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, led the increase at $3.6 billion or 4.9 percent to $77.4 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, up three of the last four months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.3 percent to $237.2 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent July increase. Machinery, up nine of the last 10 months, led the increase at $0.3 billion or 1.1 percent to $31.4 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in August, up two of the last three months, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,132.3 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent July decrease. Fabricated metal products, up seven of the last eight months, drove the increase at $0.5 billion or 0.6 percent to $79.3 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in August, up 13 of the last 14 months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.3 percent to $400.5 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent July increase. Machinery, up nine of the last 10 months, led the increase at $0.6 billion or 0.8 percent to $69.0 billion.
Capital Goods
Nondefense new orders for capital goods in August increased $3.2 billion or 4.7 percent to $71.0 billion. Shipments decreased $1.1 billion or 1.5 percent to $71.6 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $704.0 billion. Inventories increased $0.7 billion or 0.4 percent to $178.3 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in August decreased $1.1 billion or 9.4 percent to $10.7 billion. Shipments increased $0.1 billion or 0.8 percent to $10.4 billion. Unfilled orders increased $0.3 billion or 0.2 percent to $142.6 billion. Inventories increased $0.3 billion or 1.1 percent to $23.5 billion.
Revised July Data
Revised seasonally adjusted July figures for all manufacturing industries were: new orders, $465.9 billion (revised from $466.4 billion); shipments, $473.5 billion (revised from $474.3 billion); unfilled orders, $1,132.3 billion.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Economy
New York state manufacturing activity strengthens in September
New York state saw a recovery in manufacturing activity in September, according to the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
US construction spending slips in July
Construction spending in the US in July was slightly lower than June. Despite the decline, it increased notably year on year (y/y).
Beige Book: Economic growth hit by tighter consumer spending
Growth in the US economy continues to struggle in most districts. The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book report for August shows two-thirds of reporting districts flat or declining economic activity.
Steel Summit 2024: Dr. Basu predicts near-term weakness in US economy
“The US economy, despite some near-term weakness I suggest in early 2025, is going to be strong," Dr. Anirban Basu said this week.
Chicago Business Barometer ticked up in August, remains low
The Chicago Business Barometer edged up in August but remains in contraction territory, according to the latest release from Market News International (MNI) and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).