MNI DATA ANALYSIS: US September Durable Orders Rise 2.2%>

--Ex-Transportation Orders +0.7%; Transportation Orders +5.1%

--Nondefense Aircraft And Parts New Orders +31.5%

By Sara Haire, Kevin Kastner, and Holly Stokes

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

2.2% in September, well above expectations for a 1.1% increase, as 

transportation orders rose 5.1%, and new orders excluding transportation 

orders posted a 0.7% gain, data released Wednesday by the Commerce 

Department showed. 

     The rise in new orders excluding transportation was slightly ahead 

of the 0.5% gain expected and reflected mixed components. There were 

gains for fabricated metal products, computers and electronics, and the 

"all other durable goods" category. Those gains offset the declines in 

electrical equipment, primary metals and machinery.  

     Nondefense aircraft and parts new orders saw a 31.5% rise in 

September after a 33.5% rise in August, and a a 71.1% decline in July. 

Meanwhile, defense aircraft and parts rose 2.4%. Motor vehicles orders 

saw a 0.1% increase. In addition, transportation orders excluding motor 

vehicles and aircraft rose 8.4%, according to an MNI calculation. 

     Nondefense capital goods new orders saw a 6.1% rise, but was still 

up 1.3% when excluding civilian aircraft. 

     Durable goods shipments rose 1.0% in September, with nondefense 

capital goods shipments up 2.4% and up 0.7% excluding civilian aircraft 

shipments. 

     Durable goods inventories were up 0.6% in the month, while unfilled 

orders saw a 0.2% increase. Total inventories posted the largest 

percentage gain since June of 2015 when it rose 1.1%. 

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

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