Durable goods Dec 24

New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in November decreased $1.8 billion or 1.0 percent to $186.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This was the fourth consecutive monthly decrease and followed an 8.4 percent October decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.2 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.9 percent.

Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in November, down four consecutive months, decreased $5.3 billion or 2.6 percent to $195.9 billion. This followed a 3.4 percent October decrease.

Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in November, down two consecutive months, decreased $5.1 billion or 0.6 percent to $815.6 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent October decrease.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in November, up sixteen of the last seventeen months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.5 percent to $342.9 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.4 percent October increase.

Capital Goods Industries

Nondefense

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in November decreased $0.5 billion or 0.8 percent to $63.0 billion.

Defense

Defense new orders for capital goods in November increased $0.6 billion or 7.8 percent to $8.4 billion.



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Released December 24, 2008. This report presents advance information on two key business indicators: durable goods manufacturers' shipments and orders. Revised and more detailed estimates plus nondurable goods will be published January 6, 2009. The advance report on durable goods for December is scheduled for release January 29, 2009.