US core capital goods orders dip in May; shipments increase solidly

[WASHINGTON] New orders for key US-made capital goods unexpectedly fell in May, likely held back by shortages of some products, but a solid increase in shipments suggested business spending remained strong in the second quarter.

Orders for non-defence capital goods excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, dipped 0.1 per cent last month, the Commerce Department said on Thursday. These so-called core capital goods orders jumped 2.7 per cent in April.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast core capital goods orders rising 0.6 per cent. Orders increased 16.3 per cent year-on-year in May.

Business investment on equipment has enjoyed double-digit growth over the last three quarters thanks to a shift in demand towards goods from services during the Covid-19 pandemic and massive fiscal stimulus to ease the blow to the economy from the public health crisis.

Though demand is starting to revert back to services as vaccinations allow for broader economic re-engagement, appetite for goods remains healthy. But manufacturing, which accounts for 11.9 per cent of the US economy, is experiencing shortages of labour and raw materials, causing shortages that are boosting prices.

Last month, core capital goods orders were held down by machinery and fabricated metal products, as well as computers and electronic products. But orders for electrical equipment, appliances and components increased 1.3 per cent.

Shipments of core capital goods increased 0.9 per cent after advancing 1.0 per cent in April. Core capital goods shipments are used to calculate equipment spending in the government's gross domestic product measurement.

With households sitting on more than US$2 trillion in excess savings, demand booming and inventories low, businesses are likely to continue investing in equipment to boost production.

Orders for durable goods, items ranging from toasters to aircraft that are meant to last three years or more, rebounded 2.3 per cent in May after falling 0.8 per cent in April. They were lifted by a 7.6 per cent rise in orders for transportation equipment.

Orders for civilian aircraft increased 27.4 per cent. Boeing reported on its website that it had received 73 aircraft order compared to only 25 aircraft in April.

Orders for motor vehicles and parts rose 2.1 per cent in May after decreasing 8.1 per cent in April. Motor vehicle production has been hit by a global semiconductor chip shortage. Output of computers and electronic products has also been impacted.

Unfilled durable goods orders increased 0.8 per cent in May after rising 0.4 per cent in April.

REUTERS