Durable Goods Orders Up 2.6%

Washington, DC, March 24, 2006–Orders for durable goods rebounded 2.6% in February after a sharp fall in the previous month, according to a Commerce Department report.

Economists were expecting orders to rise 1.5%.

Orders, without including transportation, fell 1.3%, the first drop in four months.

Durable orders in January were revised to a 8.9% decrease from a 9.9% fall previously estimated.

Shipments of durable goods increased 0.2% in February after a 1.8% fall in January. Orders for core capital goods equipment rose 1.6% in February.