New orders for real durable goods totaled $288,756 million in March 2021. March was the fifth straight month of month-over-month growth in durable goods new orders. The result was that the annual rate of change contracted 4.2%, which was the slowest rate of contraction since February 2020. 

Notable results from key industries or segments include:

• total capital goods new orders grew 36.0% month-over-month and 16.4% year-over-year
• motor vehicles and parts grew 26.9% month-over-month
• household appliances new orders grew more than 20% month-over-month for the fourth straight month
• construction materials new orders grew 16% month-over-month
• fabricated metal products grew 16.6% month-over-month
• machinery and equipment new orders grew 10.9% month-over-month
• construction machinery new orders grew 31.6% month-over-month and more than 14% for the fourth time in five months
• primary metals new orders grew 17.5% month-over-month
• ships and boats new orders grew 182.9% month-over-month and more than 120% for the second time in three months
• aerospace new orders were the highest since December 2019

Consumer durable goods spending is growing extremely fast, with month-over-month growth faster than 9% for 10months in a row. Consumer durable goods spending is confirming a bottom in the rate of contraction in durable goods new orders has occurred. 

Accelerating Growth: appliances, computers/electronics, HVAC, off-road/construction machinery

Decelerating Growth: 

Accelerating Contraction: oil/gas-field/mining machinery

Decelerating Contraction: aerospace, construction materials, durable goods, fabricated metal products, machinery/equipment, ​​​​motor vehicles/parts, power generation, primary metals, ship/boat building, total capital goods