Mar durable goods new orders +2.6%, well....>

US DATA: Mar durable goods new orders +2.6%, well above the +1.7% exp, 

led by +7.6% in transpo. This followed a solid transpo-led 3.5% gain in 

Feb (rev up from +3.0% prev).

- However, durable goods ex-trans orders flat vs +0.5% exp and after 

+0.9% in Feb. This soft reading reflected offsetting components, with 

machinery and the "all other durables" categories down, but primary 

metals, fabricated metals, computers and electronics, and communications 

equipment up.

-Within transpo, nondefense aircraft orders +44.5% after +39.1% in Feb, 

defense aircraft orders -9.4%, mtr vehicle orders +0.1%, and unlisted 

transportation components +2.7%, according to an MNI calc.

- Nondefense capital goods new orders +6.0%, but -0.1% ex. aircraft. 

- Durable shipments +0.3%. Nondef cap gds shipments +2.2% and -0.7% ex. 

air. Durable inventories +0.1%, unfilled orders +0.8%.