MNI DATA ANALYSIS: US April Durable Orders Fall 1.7%>

--Ex-Transportation Orders +0.9%; Transportation Orders -6.1%

--Nondefense Cap Goods Ex Aircraft New Orders +1.0%, Shipments +0.8%

By Kevin Kastner and Holly Stokes

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The value of U.S. durable goods new orders fell 

1.7% in April, a larger drop than the 1.2% decrease expected by analysts 

in an MNI survey, data released Friday by the Commerce Department 

showed. 

     The main driver of the decline was a 6.1% drop in transportation 

orders, as expected. New orders excluding transportation orders posted a 

0.9% increase, stronger than the 0.6% gain expected, on gains in every 

category except machinery.

     Annual revisions released on May 17 are incorporated into the data. 

--NONDEFENSE AIRCRAFT ORDERS PLUNGE

     Nondefense aircraft and parts new orders fell 29.0% in April 

following large gains in the previous two months, a move that was 

telegraphed by a drop in Boeing orders. However, defense aircraft and 

parts rose 7.5% after a 7.8% drop in March. 

     Motor vehicles orders posted a 1.8% increase, but transportation 

orders excluding motor vehicles and aircraft fell by 3.8% following a 

23.4% decline in the previous month, according to an MNI calculation. 

     Nondefense capital goods new orders saw a decline of 6.8%, but were 

up 1.0% excluding a large drop in civilian aircraft orders. 

--SHIPMENTS FALL, INVENTORIES RISE

     Durable goods shipments fell 0.1% in April due to a decline in 

aircraft, with nondefense capital goods shipments down 4.6% overall, but 

up 0.8% excluding civilian aircraft shipments, a similar pattern to new 

orders. 

     Durable goods inventories rose 0.3% in the month, while unfilled 

orders posted a 0.5% increase.  

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

[TOPICS: MAUDR$,MAUDS$,MT$$$$,M$U$$$]