Wall Street Journal (06/23/15) Jeffrey Sparshott
Demand for durable goods declined for the third time in four months, signaling caution among businesses. New orders for durable goods fell a seasonally adjusted 1.8% in May from April, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. April durable goods orders decreased a revised 1.5%, compared with the previously reported 1% decrease. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast overall orders would decline 1% in May.
Figures for durable goods are volatile and subject to substantial revisions, but the broader trend suggests demand is subdued. However, orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft rose 0.4% in May. The figure was down 0.3% in April.