WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Durable goods orders in the United States last month fell 2.4 percent, far more than the 1 percent or less that had been expected.
However, excluding transportation's 9.6 percent drop in July, the overall level of U.S. durable goods orders actually rose 0.5 percent, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
New orders for manufactured durable goods, which are items expected to last three years or more, in July decreased $5.3 billion to $212 billion. This decrease follows two consecutive monthly increases, which includes a 3.5 percent June increase.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in July, down following two consecutive monthly increases, fell $2.8 billion or 1.3 percent to $210.6 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent June increase.
Also, unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in July, up 14 of the last 15 months, increased $8.4 billion or 1.4 percent to $630.7 billion. This followed a 1.7 percent June increase.
