US Core Capital Goods Orders Surge 1.6% in August, Beating Expectations
The US Commerce Department reported that core capital goods orders, a key proxy for business equipment investment, rose 1.6% month-over-month in August, exceeding forecasts and accelerating from July's upwardly revised 0.6% gain. Total durable goods orders were flat, dragged down by a decline in Boeing's commercial aircraft orders. Gains were seen in base metals, machinery, computers, and electrical equipment. AI-related spending continues to drive strong capital investment.
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US August Core Capital Goods Orders Rise 1.6%, Beating Expectations, Boosting Q3 GDP Outlook
According to data released by the US Commerce Department on Friday, orders for core capital goods, a proxy for business equipment investment, rose 1.6% in August, exceeding economists' expectations. The July figure was revised upward to 0.6%. The report showed increases in orders for primary metals, machinery, computers, and electrical equipment, while transportation equipment orders fell due to declines in auto and commercial aircraft orders. The strong data, driven by AI-related spending, adds to the outlook for robust third-quarter economic growth. The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model had already projected that business equipment spending would contribute nearly one percentage point to Q3 GDP, and combined with healthy consumer spending, the data supports expectations for another quarter of strong economic expansion.
Read sourceUS Business Equipment Orders Beat Expectations in August, Capital Investment Continues Strong
US business equipment orders rose more than expected in August, extending a strong year for capital investment. Data from the US Commerce Department on Friday showed that core capital goods orders, which exclude aircraft and military equipment and are a proxy for business equipment investment, increased 1.6% month-on-month in August, following an upwardly revised 0.6% gain in July. Total durable goods orders, which include commercial aircraft and military equipment and have a lifespan of at least three years, were roughly flat. Boeing's order numbers fell from the previous month. The durable goods report showed increases in orders for base metals, machinery, computers, and electrical equipment, while transportation equipment orders declined due to lower orders for automobiles and commercial aircraft. Capital investment and demand have remained strong this year, driven by AI-related spending. Business equipment spending made a significant contribution to GDP growth in the first half of the year. Before the durable goods report, the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model projected that business equipment investment would contribute nearly 1 percentage point to GDP in the third quarter. Combined with healthy consumer spending data, the US economy is expected to have another strong quarter of growth.
Read sourceUS Business Equipment Orders Beat Forecasts in August, Extending Capital Investment Momentum
New orders for US business equipment rose more than expected in August, sustaining a strong pace of capital investment this year, according to data released Friday by the Commerce Department. Core capital goods orders, which exclude aircraft and military equipment, increased 1.6% month-over-month, following an upwardly revised 0.6% gain in July. Total durable goods orders were flat, as a decline in commercial aircraft orders from Boeing offset gains in base metals, machinery, computers, and electrical equipment. The report highlights that capital investment and demand have remained robust this year, driven by spending related to artificial intelligence. Business equipment spending has made a significant contribution to GDP growth in the first half of the year. Ahead of the report, the Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model projected that business equipment investment would contribute nearly one percentage point to third-quarter GDP. Combined with healthy consumer spending, the data suggests the US economy is on track for another strong quarter of growth.
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US August Durable Goods Orders Flat, Core Capital Goods Orders Beat Expectations
According to data released Friday by the US Commerce Department, new orders for durable goods in August were unchanged month-on-month (0%), beating the expected -0.3% decline but down sharply from the prior month's revised 1.1% increase. However, a key measure of business investment—core capital goods orders, which exclude aircraft and military hardware—rose 1.6% in August, exceeding market expectations and accelerating from July's upwardly revised 0.6% gain. The report indicates that US business equipment investment continued to grow at a solid pace in August, suggesting corporate capital spending remains resilient despite high interest rates and other economic pressures. The strong performance in core capital goods orders, which are not reliant on volatile sectors like aviation, signals broad-based demand for machinery and equipment. Analysts view this as a key indicator of business investment and economic resilience amid elevated financing costs and a repricing of growth expectations. The headline figure was dragged down by a decline in orders received by Boeing in August compared to July.
Read sourceUS August Durable Goods Orders Ex-Transportation Rise 0.3%, Below 0.6% Forecast
The US Commerce Department reported that new orders for durable goods excluding transportation rose 0.3% in August, falling short of the 0.6% increase expected by economists. The prior month's gain was revised upward to 0.7% from an initial 0.4%. This data point, released by Jin10, provides a key indicator of business investment trends, excluding the volatile transportation sector. The lower-than-expected reading may signal a moderation in manufacturing activity, though the upward revision to July's figure offers some offsetting strength. Analysts will watch for further details on core capital goods orders to assess the underlying trend in business spending.
US durable goods orders flat in August, beating expectations of a 0.4% decline
The US Commerce Department reported that new orders for durable goods were unchanged (0.0%) in August, surpassing market expectations for a 0.4% decline. The previous month's growth was revised downward from 1.1% to 0.9%. Durable goods are items designed to last at least three years, such as machinery, computers, and transportation equipment. The data provides an early indicator of manufacturing activity and business investment. The better-than-expected reading suggests resilience in the industrial sector despite high interest rates and economic uncertainty. Analysts will watch for further details on core capital goods orders, which exclude defense and aircraft, to gauge business spending trends.