Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Durable Goods Orders Fall, but Shipments Up

Orders for manufactured goods fell in February, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, but shipments were up slightly

by Staff
March 24, 2011
2 min to read


Orders for manufactured goods fell in February, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, but shipments were up slightly.


New orders for manufactured durable goods in February fell $1.9 billion or 0.9 percent to $200 billion. This decrease, down four of the last five months, followed a 3.6 percent January increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.6 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.4 percent. Machinery, down two consecutive months, had the largest decrease, $1.2 billion or 4.2 percent to $26.6 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, up five of the last six months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.3 percent to $203.2 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent January increase. Machinery, up three of the last four months, had the largest increase, $0.7 billion or 2.6 percent to $26.1 billion.

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, up 14 consecutive months, increased $2.9 billion or 0.9 percent to $328.3 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent January increase. Transportation equipment, also up 14 consecutive months, had the largest increase, $0.8 billion or 0.9 percent to $87.8 billion.

Economists cautioned that the numbers don't necessarily mean bad news for the economy. One analyst told Reuters that there are very strong manufacturing numbers coming from other reports. In addition, durable goods orders tend to be very volatile. And job numbers are looking up; in February, employers hired 192,000 new workers, the most in nine months.





More Fleet Management

Illustration of hacker and information network
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensMay 22, 2026

The Trucking Industry’s Threat Intelligence Gap

The trucking industry has no shortage of cybersecurity reports and cargo crime statistics. What it lacks is timely, operational intelligence that fleets can actually use.

Read More →
Illustration of rising costs with truck in background

Truck Crash Rates Are Down. So Why Do Insurance Costs Keep Rising?

ATRI’s latest research points to litigation, social inflation, and soaring claims costs as key drivers behind record-high liability premiums for trucking fleets. But there are things motor carriers can do.

Read More →
ATA Truck Tonnage April 2026

ATA Truck Tonnage Holds Steady in April at Highest Levels Since 2022

ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index was unchanged in April after a strong March gain, with freight volumes remaining at their highest levels since late 2022.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Greg Feary, president and managing partner of transportation law firm Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMay 20, 2026

Behind the SCOTUS Broker Ruling Part 1

Transportation attorney Greg Feary breaks down the recent Supreme Court decision that brokers can be held liable for damages in truck accidents and what it means for the trucking industry going forward.

Read More →
ACT Research preliminary trailer orders April 2026.

ACT Research: Trailer Orders Continue Upward Surprise in April

Preliminary net trailer orders rose 3% from March and jumped 126% year over year, signaling stronger-than-expected demand despite typical seasonal softness.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DAT Freight Volume April 2026

DAT: Fuel Surcharges Drive April Truckload Rate Gains as Freight Volumes Slip

Truckload spot and contract rates climbed in April. But DAT says higher fuel costs -- not stronger freight demand -- were behind most of the increase.

Read More →
Graphic with light bulbs, HDT Truck Fleet Innovators logo, and the word Nominations
Fleet ManagementMay 15, 2026

Deadline Extended for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators Nominations

Heavy Duty Trucking has extended the deadline for nominations for its Truck Fleet Innovators awards. The deadline has been extended to May 22.

Read More →
Illustration of U.S. Supreme Court building and a truck crash

Supreme Court Ruling Puts Freight Broker Vetting Practices in Spotlight

The unanimous SCOTUS ruling in the closely watched Montgomery v. Caribe case allows state negligence claims against freight brokers that hire unsafe motor carriers, raising new liability and vetting concerns among brokers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo

FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now

FMCSA's long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls. And there are steps you need to take by May 14.

Read More →