In September, orders for durable goods in the United States increased by 1.8%, reaching a total value of $345.4 billion. This figure represents a growth of $6.3 billion compared to the previous month, exceeding market expectations.
The primary growth driver was the transportation sector, where orders rose by 4.6%. Specifically, demand for nondefense aircraft and related components saw a significant monthly surge of 28.4%.
Core capital goods orders, which exclude defense and aircraft, grew by 0.5% in September, maintaining the momentum from a 1.6% increase recorded in August.
Investment in computing hardware remains robust. Orders for computers and related products, including servers and storage, increased by 27% year-over-year, with a 4% rise in September alone. The broader category of computers and electronic products grew by 0.8% month-over-month and 16.6% year-over-year.
The backlog of unfilled orders reached $1,623.6 billion. Meanwhile, shipments of equipment, which serve as a key indicator for business investment, rose by 1.2%.
