Orders for US durable goods slipped slightly in August

WASHINGTON — U.S. factories saw slightly fewer orders for big-ticket manufactured goods in August, with a decline in aircraft orders accounting for the modest slip.

Orders for durable goods were nearly flat in August, with an $85 million fall from July to $226.9 billion, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The tick down mostly stemmed from a steep 21.9 per cent drop in the volatile category of commercial aircraft.

American manufacturers have seen demand weaken this year, a drag for the overall economy. The strong dollar has hurt exports while lower energy prices have reduced orders for equipment and pipelines. Total orders have slipped 0.6 per cent so far this year to $1.8 trillion.

Still, a critical category that reflects business investment — and excludes aircraft — advanced 0.6 per cent for the third straight monthly gain. The increase in this capital goods category could be evidence that business investment is recovering after massive cutbacks earlier this year.