New orders for manufactured durable goods in May increased $8.0 billion or 3.6 percent to $231.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This increase, up three of the last four months, followed a 3.6 percent April increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.7 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 3.5 percent.

Transportation equipment, also up three of the last four months, led the increase, $6.9 billion or 10.2 percent to $74.3 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and parts, which increased $6.3 billion.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in May, up three of the last four months, increased $2.8 billion or 1.2 percent to $229.7 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent April decrease.

Transportation equipment, also up three of the last four months, led the increase, $2.4 billion or 3.6 percent to $69.3 billion.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in May, up three of the last four months, increased $8.1 billion or 0.8 percent to $1,004.7 billion. This increase followed a 0.3 percent April increase.

Transportation equipment, also up three of the last four months, led the increase, $5.0 billion or 0.8 percent to $616.6 billion.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in May, up four of the last five months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $378.0 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992, and followed a 0.3 percent April increase.

Computers and electronic products, up two consecutive months, led the increase, $0.4 billion or 0.8 percent to $46.5 billion.

Capital Goods

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in May increased $7.1 billion or 9.3 percent to $83.5 billion. Shipments increased $4.3 billion or 6.0 percent to $75.8 billion. Unfilled orders increased $7.8 billion or 1.3 percent to $585.6 billion. Inventories increased $0.4 billion or 0.2 percent to $171.5 billion.

Defense new orders for capital goods in May increased $0.9 billion or 12.0 percent to $8.3 billion. Shipments increased slightly to $9.6 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $1.2 billion or 0.7 percent to $167.3 billion. Inventories increased $0.3 billion or 1.3 percent to $22.7 billion.