New orders for durable goods in the United States jumped a stronger-than-expected 3.6% in May, matching the revised pace of growth in April (previously was +3.5%) as aircraft orders rose sharply for a second consecutive month.
Aircraft orders (including both defense and non-defense) jumped 39.2% in May, up from an already solid 23.6% jump in April and largely in line with a previously reported rise in orders from Boeing.
Excluding the transportation component, orders rose 0.7% following a revised 1.7% (was 1.5%) increase in April.
The increase in ex-transportation orders was relatively broadly based with 2.7% and 1.2% increases in orders for computers and electronic products and machinery products, respectively, providing solid support.
