New orders for manufactured durable goods in March increased $9.3 billion or 4.0% to $240.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This increase, up two of the last three months, followed a 1.4% February decrease.

Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, drove the increase, $9.5 billion or 13.5% to $80.3 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.3 billion or slightly to $1,156.4 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up twenty-three of the last twenty-four months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1% to $412.9 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.2% February increase.

To view the full U.S. Census Bureau report, click here.