Mixed News on Durable Goods

The U.S. Department of Commerce released the durable goods orders report for the month of October Wednesday morning. The new orders index came in at 0.4% against a Bloomberg consensus estimate of -0.5%, the previous reading was -1.3%.

Excluding transportation, durable goods orders fell 0.9% against a consensus estimate for a gain of 0.5%, the previous reading was -0.2%. And excluding defense new orders decreased 0.6%.

Transportation equipment was up 3.4% following two consecutive monthly decreases.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October were up 0.1%, overall this segment has posted an increase four of the last five months.

Unfilled orders for manufactured goods have been up in 18 of the last 19 months, and October is no different –the reading was up 0.4% or $5 billion to $1,174 billion. This is the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992. The previous month had a 0.4% increase.

Inventories of manufactured goods in October were up 0.5%, also up for 18 of the last 19 months, reaching its highest level.

Non-defense new orders for capital goods in October decreased 0.1% while shipments fell 0.8%. Non-defense unfilled orders increased 0.3% and inventories increased 0.5%.

Defense new orders for capital goods in October increased 11.2% while shipments increased 1.4%. Defense unfilled orders increased 0.4% and inventories increased 1.0%.

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