New orders for durable goods fell in February on transportation equipment, the Commerce Department reported today.
Orders slid 1 percent to $268.4 billion last month, according to a monthly report. It was the third decline in the past four months and followed a revised fall of 5 percent in January.
Excluding transportation, orders were almost unchanged. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.5 percent.
The transportation category fell 2.8 percent to $89.4 billion, also the third decline in the past four months.
Within transportation, orders for commercial aircraft and parts slipped 6.6 percent to $11.2 billion. Demand for commercial air travel has rebounded from COVID-19 lows. Still, aircraft maker Boeing Co. continues to confront manufacturing issues.
Orders for defense aircraft and parts declined 11 percent to $5.4 billion.
Orders for motor vehicles and parts fell 0.9 percent to $61.6 billion. The auto industry continues to see strong demand for some pickup and SUV models.
In other categories, orders for fabricated metal products advanced 0.4 percent to $36.2 billion. Orders for primary metals rose 0.3 percent to $20.2 billion. Orders for machinery slipped 0.5 percent to $38.3 billion.
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