Durable goods orders in the United States decreased 1.4% in December to reach $319.6 billion, the US Census Bureau reported on Wednesday. The figure marks a decline from the November's revised surge of 5.4%. Transportation equipment led the decrease, falling 5.3% to reach $113.5 billion. The new orders, excluding transportation, jumped 0.9%, and excluding defense, dropped 2.5%. Shipments of manufactured durable goods advanced 1.0%, reaching $311.5 billion. Unfilled orders of the durable goods added 0.9%, landing at $13.2 billion. (full story)