What is Durable Goods Orders?
Durable goods orders are a measure of the total value of new orders placed with domestic manufacturers for delivery of factory hard goods. Durable goods are items that are expected to last more than three years, such as appliances, automobiles, and furniture. Durable goods orders are an important indicator of economic activity, as they are a measure of consumer and business confidence.
History of Durable Goods Orders
Durable goods orders have been tracked since the early 1900s, when the U.S. Department of Commerce began collecting data on the manufacturing sector. The data is collected from manufacturers and is used to measure the level of economic activity in the manufacturing sector. The data is released on a monthly basis and is used to gauge the health of the economy.
Table of Comparisons
| Month | Durable Goods Orders |
|---|---|
| January | $100 billion |
| February | $110 billion |
| March | $120 billion |
Summary
Durable goods orders are an important indicator of economic activity, as they are a measure of consumer and business confidence. Durable goods orders have been tracked since the early 1900s, when the U.S. Department of Commerce began collecting data on the manufacturing sector. The data is released on a monthly basis and is used to gauge the health of the economy. For more information on durable goods orders, visit the U.S. Department of Commerce website or the Bureau of Economic Analysis website.
See Also
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- Employment Cost Index (ECI)
- Retail Sales
- Industrial Production
- Business Inventories
- Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
- Housing Starts
- Manufacturing Production
- Trade Balance
