New orders for manufactured durable goods in August increased $11.1 billion or 4.5 percent to $259.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This increase, up two of the last three months, followed a 1.2 percent July decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.6 percent. Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, led the increase, $10.9 billion or 13.0 percent to $95.3 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, up three of the last four months, increased $1.9 billion or 0.8 percent to $253.1 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent July decrease. Transportation equipment, up two of the last three months, led the increase, $1.6 billion or 1.9 percent to $86.0 billion.