New orders for real durable goods totaled $246,187 million in April 2021, increasing 57.2% compared with one year ago. Of course, this very strong growth rate in April was affected by the low new orders in April 2020 due to the economic lock down. April was the fourth straight month of month-over-month growth in durable goods new orders. The result was that the annual rate of change contracted 2.5%, which was the slowest rate of contraction since February 2020. 

Consumer durable goods spending is growing extremely fast, with month-over-month growth faster than 9% for 11 months in a row. Consumer durable goods spending is confirming accelerating growth in durable goods new orders in the second half of 2021. 

Every industry that we track, except oil/gas/mining machinery, saw very positive growth in April compared with one year ago. While oil prices have recovered somewhat, demand for gasoline and jet fuel is still relatively low. Therefore, oil/gas/mining machinery contracted 7.3% in April. Although, this was the slowest rate of contraction since March 2020.

Accelerating Growth: appliances, computers/electronics, construction materials, fabricated metal products, HVAC, machinery/equipment, ​​​​motor vehicles/parts, off-road/construction machinery, primary metals

Decelerating Growth: 

Accelerating Contraction: 

Decelerating Contraction: aerospace, durable goods, oil/gas-field/mining machinery, power generation, ship/boat building, total capital goods