WASHINGTON – The value of new factory orders rose 2.3% in August, slightly above the 2.2% increase expected by analysts in an MNI survey, data released by the Commerce Department Thursday morning showed.
Durable goods orders were revised down slightly to a 4.4% gain from the 4.5% increase reported in the advance estimate. Nondurable goods orders rose 0.2% on gains in beverages and paper. Nondurable goods new orders are equivalent to nondurable goods shipments in this report.
Factory orders excluding transportation were up 0.1% in the month following a 0.1% gain in July, continuing the string of gains that stretches back virtually uninterrupted for most of the past two years. Durables orders excluding transportation were revised down to a flat reading from the 0.1% gain in the advance report.
In addition, unfilled orders were +0.9 in August, showing steady demand for products.
Transportation orders rose 13.1% in August, an upward revision from the 13.0% increase in the advance estimate. The unlisted transportation components were up 6.3% in the month, based on an MNI calculation.
Nondefense capital goods new orders rose by 7.2%, however they were down 0.9% when excluding aircraft.
