The U.S. Census Bureau reported new orders for manufactured durable goods in April increased $7.7 billion or 3.4% to $235.9 billion. This increase, up three of the last four months, followed a 1.9% March increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.4%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 3.7%. Transportation equipment, also up three of the last four months, led the increase, rising $7.1 billion or 8.9% to $87.1 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.5 billion or 0.6% to $232.5 billion. This followed a 0.8% March decrease. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $1.0 billion or 1.3% to $80.9 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in April, up three of the last four months, increased $6.3 billion or 0.6% to $1,137.0 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged March increase. Transportation equipment, up two consecutive months, led the increase, $6.1 billion or 0.8% to $783.1 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in April, down nine of the last ten months, decreased $0.7 billion or 0.2% to $384.4 billion. This followed a 0.2% March decrease. Machinery, down eight of the last nine months, led the decrease, $0.5 billion or 0.7% to $66.1 billion.

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in April increased $5.4 billion or 7.8% to $73.6 billion. Shipments increased $0.4 billion or 0.6% to $71.4 billion. Unfilled orders increased $2.2 billion or 0.3% to $707.2 billion. Inventories decreased $0.2 billion or 0.1% to $172.4 billion.

Defense new orders for capital goods in April increased $0.5 billion or 3.7% to $13.2 billion. Shipments decreased $0.4 billion or 4.1% to $9.6 billion. Unfilled orders increased $3.6 billion or 2.6% to $140.7 billion. Inventories increased $0.2 billion or 1.2% to $20.8 billion.