Factory Orders Up 1.0 Percent; Shipments Up 2.9 Percent

New factory orders rose for the fourth consecutive month, increasing 1.0 percent. The increase was evenly due to a rise in both non-durable goods orders and durable goods orders. Both components increased 1.0 percent. Durable goods orders were held back by declines in defense and aircraft orders. Core orders, which exclude these two categories rose 2.2 percent, led by increases in software and equipment.

Shipments rose over the month by 2.9 percent, also the fourth consecutive increase and the largest over the period. Non-durable goods shipments led the increase, rising 1.6 percent. However, durable goods also increased 1.5 percent. Core durable goods, which exclude aircraft and defense shipments, rose 2.1 percent.

m/m % change	Dec	Nov	Oct	Sep	Aug	Jul
Shipments	2.9	0.8	0.2	1.3	-0.2	0.3
Non Durable	1.8	2.3	2.6	1.4	1.6	-2.8
Durable	1.5	1.9	0.6	-1.2	-2.4	4.2
Core	2.1	1.6	0.5	0.5	-1.8	0.6
New Orders	1.0	1.0	0.8	1.6	-0.8	1.4
Non Durable	1.0	2.2	1.6	1.1	1.2	-1.5
Durable	1.0	-0.4	-0.1	2.5	-3.1	5.8
Core	2.2	3.2	-1.8	3.5	-1.4	-0.8

10.02.04 (Source: Census Bureau)