US durable goods order fall in March

US new orders for manufactured durable goods in recorded a decrease in March, the lowest in three years, following an increase in February, official data showed here Wednesday. The Department of Commerce indicated that new orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased USD 8.8 billion or 4.2 percent to USD 202.6 billion. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 1.9 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.1 percent, whereas excluding defense, new orders decreased 4.6 percent. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, had the largest decrease of 12.5 percent reaching USD 49.7 billion due to nondefense aircraft and parts, which decreased USD 7.7 billion.