A decline in new orders for transportation equipment is partially responsible for the lower new order numbers for manufactured goods. Despite their lower numbers, new orders for manufactured goods rose 0.4 percent, the fourth increase in the last five months. Numbers for durable goods dropped more than 2 percent, a plunge credited to the lower numbers for transportation equipment. That dip was offset, however, by a 2.7 percent increase in new orders for nondurable goods.

New orders for manufactured goods increased 0.4 percent in June over May to $349 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Aug. 5. The rise, which is the fourth in the last five months, followed a 1.1 percent increase in May.

A 13.2 percent decline in new orders for transportation equipment is a major factor in a 2.2 percent drop in new orders for durable goods in June. That decline was offset, however, by a 2.7 percent increase in new orders for nondurable goods. Excluding transportation equipment, new orders for manufactured goods rose 2.3 percent.

After 10 consecutive monthly decreases, shipments rose 1.4 percent to $358.3 billion. Unfilled orders dipped 0.9 percent to $740.2 billion, marking the longest streak of consecutive monthly decreases since November 2001 to July 2002. Inventories declined 0.8 percent to $508.3 billion. The 10 consecutive months of inventory declines was the longest streak since March 2003 to January 2004.

[source - etrucker.com]