AM Staff

According to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, new orders for manufactured goods increased by $4.6 billion, 1.3% in July, to $355.5 billion, in particular due to rising orders for transportation products. Orders for new civilian aircraft were especially strong during the month.

July marked fifth increase in six months for the manufactured goods index (the so-called M3.)

The U.S. Census Bureau, a Commerce Dept. agency, reports that July new orders for manufactured durable goods rose by $8.2 billion, or 5.1%, to $169.0 billion.

New orders for manufactured nondurable goods declined by $3.6 billion to $186.5 billion, or -1.9%.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in July increased by $3.4 billion, 2.0%, to $173.3 billion. It was the second consecutive month for an increase.

Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods declined following increases in the preceding two months. The decrease amounted to $3.6 billion, or 1.9% to $186.5 billion. This followed a 2.8% June increase, and was paced by falling demand for petroleum and coal products, which decreased $2.7 billion to $34.3 billion, or 7.2%.