New orders for core capital goods—durable goods excluding defense goods and aircraft and related parts—were up 1.2 percent in May over Aprilâ??s level, after a 1.1 percent rise in April over Marchâ??s level.

Compared with one year ago (May 2012), new orders for core capital goods are up 2.9 percent.

New Orders for Core Capital* Goods, SA, *Core Capital excludes series for defense and aircraft & parts

Additional detail:

  • New orders for communications equipment surged 12.6 percent from April to May, the largest increase among durable goods components. Other categories seeing advances in orders from April to May include computers and electronic products, up 2.7 percent, and machinery, up 1.2 percent.
  • New orders for motor vehicles and parts slipped 1.2 percent from April to May, giving up precisely half of its 2.4 percent gain from March to April.
  • Not included in the "core capital goods" series due to their high volatility, new orders for nondefense aircraft and parts were up 51 percent from April to May, while defense capital goods were up 12 percent.