New orders for manufactured durable goods in September increased $8.2 billion or 3.7% to $233.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This increase, up five of the last six months, followed a 0.2% August increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.1%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 3.2 percent.

Transportation equipment, also up five of the last six months, drove the increase, $8.4 billion or 12.3% to $77.0 billion. This was led by nondefense aircraft and
parts, which increased $6.9 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in September, up two consecutive months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.2% to $231.8 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992, and followed a 0.8% August increase.

Primary metals, up five of the last six months, led the increase, $0.2 billion or 0.8% to $25.8 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in September increased $5.2 billion or 6.9% to $80.7 billion. Shipments increased $0.3 billion or 0.4% to $74.0
billion. Unfilled orders increased $6.7 billion or 1.1% to $616.7 billion. Inventories increased $1.4 billion or 0.8% to $173.6 billion.

Defense new orders for capital goods in September increased $1.2 billion or 13.4% to $9.8 billion. Shipments decreased $0.6 billion or 6.0% to $9.6 billion. Unfilled orders increased $0.1 billion or 0.1% to $167.8 billion. Inventories increased $0.8 billion or 3.8% to $23.0 billion.