(January 31, 2007) – The December Durable Goods report showed that new orders for manufactured durable goods in December increased $11.2 billion or 5.2 percent to $226.6 billion, the second consecutive monthly increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 2.6 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.9 percent. Transportation equipment, up three consecutive months, had the largest increase, $7.3 billion or 11.3 percent to $71.4 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in December, down four of the last five months, decreased $0.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $212.6 billion. Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in December, up thirty-one of the last thirty-two months, increased $20.0 billion or 2.5 percent to $808.6 billion. This was at the highest level since 1992.
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in December, up five of the last six months, increased $3.5 billion or 1.1 percent to $320.7 billion, the highest level since 1992 and followed a 0.8 percent November increase.
JR
