Durable Goods Orders Rise 2.1% in July
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WASHINGTON — Orders to U.S. factories for large manufactured goods rose for the second straight month, but the strength again came from a big increase in the volatile aircraft category. A category that tracks business investment also rose for the second straight month, though last month’s reading was revised down significantly.
The Commerce Department said Aug. 26 that orders for durable goods — or items meant to last at least three years — rose 2.1%. That follows a 1.8% gain in June, which helped to offset significant declines in May and April.
A category that serves as a proxy for business investment rose 0.4%, but last month’s gain of 1.9% was revised down to 0.9%.
Excluding transportation, orders fell 0.4%, its biggest decline since March.
Commercial aircraft orders, notoriously volatile, rose 47.8%.
