Input Stories

Demand for durable goods decreased in April by 6.3%, according to Commerce Department data.

The numbers: March saw a 7.6% rise in orders, while the April decline is the first drop in orders following four consecutive monthly increases.

• The dramatic fluctuations in durable goods orders in recent months have been driven by shifts in aircraft orders.
• Transportation equipment fell 17.1% in April, with nondefense aircraft and parts plummeting 51.5% after surging 158.5% in March.
• Excluding the more volatile transportation orders, new orders rose 0.2%.