U.S. Factory Orders Climb 1.8% in September, Extending Three-Month Streak

New orders for U.S.-manufactured goods rose 1.8% in September to $677.2 billion, exceeding a 1.2% forecast and extending the monthly growth streak to three months. The full September report was released Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Orders added $12.2 billion from August, when the increase was revised to 0.3%. September orders were 7.2% higher than a year earlier. The figures are seasonally adjusted but not adjusted for price changes.

Durable-goods orders rose 1.9% to $345.7 billion, while nondurable-goods orders increased 1.8% to $331.6 billion. New orders are measured net of cancellations.

Transportation-equipment orders climbed 4.6% to $119.9 billion. Orders for nondefense aircraft and parts rose 28.3%, while orders for ships and boats fell 9.9%.

Orders excluding transportation increased 1.3%. Orders excluding defense rose 2% in September.

Shipments grew 1.3% to $668.5 billion, and inventories increased 0.4% to $976 billion. The figures are part of the monthly tally of manufacturers’ orders, shipments and inventories.

The full report provides total manufacturing orders, including durable and nondurable goods, and adds detail beyond the earlier September durable-goods figures.