The U.S. Commerce Department released durable goods orders data on Thursday. The U.S. durable goods orders plunged 5.1% in December, missing expectations for a 0.6% fall, after a 0.5% drop in November. November's figure was revised down from a flat reading.

The decline was mainly driven by a weak demand for transportation equipment, which fell by 12.4% in December.

The U.S. durable goods orders excluding transportation dropped 1.2% in December, missing expectations for a 0.1% decrease, after a 0.5% decline in November. November's figure was revised down from a 0.1% drop.

The U.S. durable goods orders excluding defence slid 2.9 % in December, after a 2.0% decline in November. November's figure was revised down from a 1.5% decrease.