By Ovunc Kutlu
ANKARA (AA) - The US durable goods orders increased in November from the previous month, higher than the market expectation, according to the US Commerce Department's Census Bureau data released Thursday.
New orders for manufactured durable goods increased by $6.5 billion, or 2.5%, to reach $268.3 billion in November. This marked the sixth rise in the last seven months.
Durable goods orders, which show the change in the total value of new orders for long-lasting manufactured goods including transportation items, were expected to increase 1.6% last month.
The orders rose only 0.1% in October, slightly revised up to $261.7 billion, from $261.3 billion.
"Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.8%. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2%," the Census Bureau said in a statement.
Transportation equipment ended its two consecutive monthly declines as it led the increase in durable goods orders. It rose $5 billion, or 6.5%, to $82.1 billion in November.