New orders for manufactured durable goods in July increased $9.7 billion or 4.4 percent to $228.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This increase, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, followed a 4.2 percent June decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.5 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 3.8 percent. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $7.5 billion or 10.5 percent to $78.9 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in July, up following six consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.2 billion or 0.3 percent to $383.0 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent June decrease - US Census Bureau.