The US Census Bureau of the US Department of Commerce reported Wednesday that both new orders and shipments of durable goods increased in July.
New orders for manufactured durable goods in July increased $7.7 billion or 4 percent to $201.5 billion, following a 1.3 percent June decrease. Transportation equipment, up two of the last three months, had the largest increase, $6.7 billion or 14.6 percent to $53.0 billion.
Transportation equipment also led the increase in shipments of manufactured durable goods in July, rising $3.7 billion or 8 percent to $49.8 billion. Total shipments were up $5 billion or 2.5 percent to $202.2 billion, following a 1.1 percent June increase.
Primary metals' shipments were up 3.4 percent in July from June while new orders jumped 10.3 percent. On the other hand, shipments of fabricated metal products were down 0.9 percent in July and new orders fell 1 percent.