New orders for US manufactured durable goods fall 5.7% in March from February to US$216.3B, 1.4% excluding transportation; decline was second in last three months: Dept. of Commerce

Cindy Allen

WASHINGTON , May 3, 2013 (press release) – New Orders. New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $13.1 billion or 5.7 percent to $216.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 4.3 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.4 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 4.7 percent. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $11.0 billion or 15.0 percent to $62.4 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and parts, which decreased $8.5 billion.

Shipments. Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up six of the last seven months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $230.0 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.7 percent February increase. Transportation equipment, up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $1.4 billion or 2.1 percent to $67.6 billion. This followed a 1.7 percent February increase.

Unfilled Orders. Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, down two of the last three months, decreased $6.4 billion or 0.6 percent to $991.2 billion. This decrease followed a 0.7 percent February increase. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $5.2 billion or 0.9 percent to $586.0 billion.

Inventories. Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up seventeen of the last eighteen months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1 percent to $377.2 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis and followed a 0.4 percent February increase. Computers and electronic products, up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $0.4 billion or 0.8 percent to $46.8 billion.

Capital Goods. Nondefense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $8.3 billion or 10.6 percent to $70.2 billion. Shipments increased $1.5 billion or 2.1 percent to $71.8 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $1.5 billion or 0.3 percent to $593.7 billion. Inventories increased $0.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $176.1 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $2.5 billion or 33.2 percent to $5.0 billion. Shipments increased slightly or 0.1 percent to $8.4 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $3.4 billion or 2.0 percent to $163.6 billion. Inventories decreased $0.3 billion or 1.5 percent to $22.0 billion.

Revised February Data. Revised seasonally adjusted February figures for all manufacturing industries were: new orders, $489.3 billion (revised from $492.0 billion); shipments, $488.9 billion (revised from $489.3 billion); unfilled orders, $997.5 billion (revised from $999.7 billion); and total inventories, unchanged from $620.0 billion.

Figures in text are adjusted for seasonality, but not for inflation. Figures on new and unfilled orders exclude data for semiconductor manufacturing. For data, call (301) 763-4673 or go to .

Revised and more detailed estimates, plus nondurable goods data, will be published on May 3, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The advance report on durable goods for April is scheduled for release on May 24, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. See back page for survey description. To receive the latest updates on the Nation's key economic indicators, download the America's Economy app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

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