New orders for manufactured durable goods in August increased $0.3 billion or 0.1 percent to $224.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.

This increase, up four of the last five months, followed an 8.1 percent July decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.5 percent.

Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, drove the increase, $0.5 billion or 0.7 percent to $67.9 billion. This was driven by Motor vehicles and
parts, which increased $1.1 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.1 billion or 0.9 percent to $231.5 billion.
This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992, and followed a 0.1 percent July decrease.

Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $1.0 billion or 1.5 percent to $69.7 billion.

To read the full U.S. Census Bureau Advance Report on Durable Goods, click here.