-->New orders for durable goods jumped 4.4 percent in November, significantly more than the consensus forecast. Orders were concentrated in the transportation sector, aircraft, which has boosted new orders more often than not this year..Excluding transportation, new orders fell 0.6 percent after dipping 0.2 percent in October. New orders for nondefense capital goods, which are considered a leading indicator for capital spending, surged 19.6 percent, but again, this was primarily due to the aircraft sector. Excluding aircraft, orders fell 2 percent in November after rising 1.2 percent in October. Among the various industries, primary metals increased 1.4 percent, computers and electronics rose 0.7 percent, and electrical equipment orders rose 1.8 percent. But fabricated metals and machinery orders fell during the month.

Overall, durable goods shipments dipped 0.2 percent in November after rising 1.2 percent in October. Unfilled orders jumped 3.1 percent after rising 1.4 percent in October. This is due largely to the aircraft sector, unfilled orders excluding transportation are posted smaller, but healthy gains. The rise in unfilled orders bodes well for production since manufacturers have a backlog of orders to fill.