Home Logon FTA Investment Managers Blog Subscribe About Us Contact Us

Search by Ticker, Keyword or CUSIP       
 
 

Blog Home
   Brian Wesbury
Chief Economist
 
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
   Bob Stein
Deputy Chief Economist
Bio
X •  LinkedIn
 
  New Orders For Durable Goods Rose 1.7% in May
Posted Under: Data Watch • Durable Goods • Inflation • COVID-19
Supporting Image for Blog Post

 

Implications:  New orders for durable goods rose 1.7% in May, easily beating the consensus expectation for a decline.  The increase in orders was led by the typically volatile commercial aircraft category, which jumped 32.5% in May.  Stripping out transportation, orders still rose a healthy 0.6% in May with gains across most major categories.  Diving into the details shows orders led by electrical equipment (+1.7%), machinery (+1.0%), primary metals (+0.5), and computers & electronic products (+0.3%), while fabricated metal product orders showed no change.  One of the most important numbers in today’s report is core shipments – a key input for business investment in the calculation of GDP – which rose a modest 0.2% in May and, if unchanged in June, would be up at a 1.2% annualized rate in the second quarter versus the Q1 average.  While still positive in Q2, that would be the fifth consecutive quarterly deceleration in the pace of growth, and would represent the weakest quarter since the COVID shutdown-restricted second quarter of 2020.  In the past year, orders for durable goods are up 5.4%, while orders excluding transportation are down 0.3%.  But when you consider that producer prices for capital equipment are up 5.2% in the past year, it means that headline orders are nearly flat when adjusted for inflation.   A number of factors are likely to generate turbulent footing as we continue further into 2023: a tighter Federal Reserve, the tightening of lending standards following stress in the banking sector, and withdrawal symptoms following the COVID-era economic morphine that artificially boosted both consumer and business spending.  In addition, the return toward services means a large portion of goods-related activity will soften in the year ahead, even as some durables that facilitate services recover.  While the data to-date suggests the economy is still growing modestly in the second quarter, we believe a recession awaits us later this year or early in 2024.

Click here for a PDF version

Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 @ 11:59 AM • Post Link Print this post Printer Friendly

These posts were prepared by First Trust Advisors L.P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.
 
The information presented is not intended to constitute an investment recommendation for, or advice to, any specific person. By providing this information, First Trust is not undertaking to give advice in any fiduciary capacity within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any other regulatory framework. Financial professionals are responsible for evaluating investment risks independently and for exercising independent judgment in determining whether investments are appropriate for their clients.
Follow First Trust:  
First Trust Portfolios L.P.  Member SIPC and FINRA. (Form CRS)   •  First Trust Advisors L.P. (Form CRS)
Home |  Important Legal Information |  Privacy Policy |  California Privacy Policy |  Business Continuity Plan |  FINRA BrokerCheck
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved.