WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. durable-goods orders rose 3.1 percent in December on strong demand for airplanes and capital equipment, the U.S. Commerce Department said Friday.

The $6.7 billion increase to a seasonally adjusted $221.87 billion followed an upwardly revised 2.2 percent November increase after falling in October.

For all of 2006 big-ticket orders of items meant to last three or more years rose at a non-adjusted 7 percent, after 2005's 8.6 percent rise, the department said. This was the third straight annual gain, the department said. Shipments for the full year increased 5.6 percent, also the third straight annual gain.

Orders for commercial planes increased 26.5 percent in December, with military-aircraft orders up 20.5 percent.

Transportation orders overall were up 4.8 percent, after rising 10.2 percent in November.

Excluding transportation goods, durable goods orders rose at the fastest pace since March, posting a 2.3 percent increase in December after 1 percent fall in November.

Unfilled orders, up 19 of the last 20 months, increased $15.5 billion or 2.3 percent to $694.9 billion. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International


Publication date: 26 January 2007   

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