MNI DATA ANALYSIS:US July Durable Orders -6.8%;Ex-Trans +0.5%>

--Transportation Orders Drop 19.0% On Civilian Aircraft

By Kevin Kastner and Holly Stokes

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

6.8% in July, below expectations for a 6.1% decline, as transportation 

orders fell 19.0%, but nontransportation orders posted a 0.5% gain, data 

released Friday by the Commerce Department showed. 

     The rise in new orders excluding transportation was slightly ahead 

of the 0.4% gain expected and reflected mixed components. There were 

gains for fabricated metals, computers and electronics, electrical 

equipment, and the "all other durables category" that offset a sharp 

decline in machinery. Primary metals orders were unchanged. 

     Nondefense aircraft orders plunged 70.7% in July after a 129.3% 

surge in June, while defense aircraft orders rose 47.8%. Motor vehicles 

orders fell 1.2%. In addition, transportation orders excluding motor 

vehicles and aircraft fell 9.3%, according to an MNI calculation. 

     Nondefense capital goods new orders fell 20.2%, primarily due to a 

huge 82.2% reversal in civilian aircraft orders, but were up 0.4% 

excluding civilian aircraft. 

     Durable goods shipments rose 0.4% in July, with nondefense capital 

goods shipments up 2.0% and up 1.0% excluding civilian aircraft 

shipments. 

     Durable goods inventories were up 0.3% in the month, while 

unfilled orders were down 0.3%. 

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

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