Thomas L. Gallagher | Jan 29, 2010 1:19PM EST
New orders for manufactured durable goods in December increased $0.5 billion or 0.3 percent to $167.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Thursday. This increase followed two consecutive monthly decreases including a 0.4 percent November decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.9 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.3 percent. Machinery, up three of the last four months, had the largest increase, $1.4 billion or 6 percent to $24.1 billion.
Shipments, up four consecutive months, increased $5.1 billion or 2.9 percent to $181.9 billion, following a 0.8 percent November increase.
Unfilled orders, down 15 consecutive months, decreased $8.6 billion or 1.2 percent to $715.5 billion, extending the record streak of consecutive monthly decreases since the Census Bureau began in 1992 publishing the series on its current basis.
Inventories, down twelve consecutive months, decreased $600 million or 0.2 percent to $302.7 billion, following a 0.2 percent decrease in November.
Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.