Durable Goods Orders Contract Faster in April
New orders for real durable goods totaled $167,643 million in April. This was the lowest total since July 2009 and was down 30.7% from one year ago.
New orders for real durable goods totaled $167,643 million in April. This was the lowest total since July 2009 and was down 30.7% from one year ago. April was the fastest rate of month-over-month contraction since June 2009. April was the 13th month of contraction in the last 15.
The result was that the annual rate of change contracted 7.8%, which was the fastest rate of annual contraction since April 2010. The sharp deceleration in growth in consumer durable goods spending in March and April means that durable goods new orders will continue to contract faster.
It’s important to note that aerospace orders in April were negative, meaning that there were more cancellations than there were new orders for commercial aircraft, for the second consecutive month. Also, aerospace orders were negative for the most recent rolling quarter for the first time ever.
Accelerating Growth:
Decelerating Growth: appliances
Accelerating Contraction: aerospace, computers/electronics, construction materials, durable goods, fabricated metal products, HVAC, machinery/equipment, motor vehicle/parts, off-road/construction machinery, oil/gas-field/mining machinery, power generation, primary metals, ship/boat building, total capital goods
Decelerating Contraction: