New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $13.1 billion or 5.7 percent to $216.3 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 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 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 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 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.

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.

Read the full Advance Report on Durable Goods Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories and Orders.