WASHINGTON — Durable goods orders fell 3.6% in April, a full percentage point below the 2.6% decrease expected, with widespread declines in every category except computers and electronic parts, according to data released Wednesday by the Commerce Department.
The decline in durable goods orders was led by nonmilitary aircraft parts, which decreased 30.0%, pulling down the transportation equipment category by 9.5%.
Durable goods orders excluding military items were off 3.6%, marking the first time that category was down in the last four months.
It should be noted that Boeing Co. reported only two aircraft orders in April, which is down sharply from the 98 orders reported in March, which likely contributed to the decline in nonmilitary aircraft orders.
