New orders for US-made durable goods rose a larger-than-expected 3.1 per cent in December, a government report showed today.
Excluding volatile transportation orders, which are heavily skewed by aircraft, durable goods orders rose 2.3 per cent in December following two monthly declines, a US Commerce Department showed.
Demand for aircraft and parts soared, and most other sectors showed surprising strength.
For the full 2006 year, new durable goods orders rose 7 per cent from 2005, marking the third straight annual gain. Shipments for the full year increased 5.6 per cent, also the third straight annual gain.
In December, transportation equipment orders rose 4.8 per cent on the back of a 26.5 per cent rise in civilian aircraft orders and a 20.5 per cent rise in defence aircraft and parts.
Excluding defence, orders during the month rose 3.9 per cent, far outstripping analysts' expectations of a 0.3 per cent rise.