New orders for manufactured durable goods in October, up seven of the last eight months, increased $2.8 billion or 1.0% to $277.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced. This followed a 0.3% September increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.5%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 0.8%. Transportation equipment, up six of the last seven months, led the increase, $2.0 billion or 2.1% to $97.8 billion.
