New orders for manufactured durable goods in September increased $2.0 billion or 0.8 percent to $262.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This increase, up three of the last four months, followed a 4.6 percent August increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.6 percent. Transportation equipment, also up three of the last four months, led the increase, $1.8 billion or 1.9 percent to $97.4 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in September, up four of the last five months, increased $3.3 billion or 1.3 percent to $256.8 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent August increase. Transportation equipment, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $2.9 billion or 3.3 percent to $89.4 billion.