MNI DATA ANALYSIS: US February Durable Orders Jump 3.1%>

--Ex-Transportation Orders +1.2%; Transportation Orders +7.1%

--Nondefense Cap Goods Ex Aircraft New Orders +1.8%, Shipments +1.4%

By Kevin Kastner, Sara Haire and Holly Stokes

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

surged 3.1% in February, much stronger than the 1.7% increase expected 

by analysts in an MNI survey. Transportation orders rose 7.1%, and new 

orders excluding transportation orders posted a 1.2% gain, data released 

Friday by the Commerce Department showed. 

     The surge in new orders excluding transportation was much larger 

than the 0.6% gain expected and reflected solid gains in every component 

except for computers and electronics products. This was the seventh 

increase in the last eight months, an indication that orders are 

expanding consistently outside of the transportation noise. 

--AIRCRAFT ORDERS SURGE

     Nondefense aircraft and parts new orders posted 25.5% surge in 

February, partially rebounding from a 27.9% plunge in January. 

Meanwhile, defense aircraft and parts jumped 37.7% after a 48.9% decline 

in January. 

     Motor vehicles orders posted a 1.6% gain. In addition, 

transportation orders excluding motor vehicles and aircraft rebounded by 

11.7% following a 19.5% decline in the previous month, according to an 

MNI calculation. 

     Nondefense capital goods new orders saw a gain of 4.5%, and were 

still up 1.8% excluding civilian aircraft. 

--SHIPMENTS, INVENTORIES UP

     Durable goods shipments rose 0.9% in February, with nondefense 

capital goods shipments up 1.2% and up 1.4% excluding civilian aircraft 

shipments, according to an MNI calculation. 

     Durable goods inventories were up 0.4% in the month, while unfilled 

orders posted a 0.2% increase.  

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

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