The US Census Bureau of the US Department of Commerce announced Wednesday that both new orders and shipments for manufactured durable goods rose in March.
New orders increased for the third consecutive month, rising $5 billion or 2.5 percent to $208.4 billion in March. New orders for transportation equipment generated the largest month-on-month increase, jumping 5.9 percent-$3.1 billion-to $54.7 billion in March.
Transportation equipment also experienced a notable month-over-month incline for shipments, increasing 3.3 percent -$1.6 billion-to $51.1 billion in March. Overall shipments of manufactured durable goods- which have risen for five consecutive months- increased $3.7 billion or 1.8 percent to $207.3 billion in March.
Both unfilled orders and inventories increased in March as well. Unfilled orders, which have been steadily climbing 11 of the last 12 months, rose $6.6 billion or 0.8 percent to $843.4 billion in March. Inventories increased by $4.2 billion or 1.3 percent to $333.9 billion in March.