US durable goods orders drop, underperforming forecasts and previous figures
2024.12.23 09:01
The US economy experienced a disappointing downturn as Durable Goods Orders, a key indicator of manufacturing health, reported a decline. The actual figure came in at -1.1%, a significant drop from previous and forecasted numbers.
The -1.1% figure starkly contrasts with the forecasted growth for this period. Analysts had anticipated a more positive outlook, continuing the previous trend of 0.3% growth. This unexpected downturn signals a potential slowdown in the manufacturing sector, which could have wider implications for the overall health of the US economy.
The reported figure not only missed the mark on forecasts but also showed a decline from the previous 0.3% growth. This represents a considerable swing in the opposite direction, marking a worrying trend for manufacturers and investors alike. The decrease in Durable Goods Orders suggests that manufacturers are receiving fewer orders for goods meant to last three years or more, which could indicate a lack of confidence in the market.
Durable Goods Orders are a critical measure of the change in the total value of new orders for long-lasting manufactured goods, including transportation items. A higher than expected reading is typically seen as positive or bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading is considered negative or bearish.
In this case, the lower than expected reading could potentially weaken the USD. This data could influence decisions made by investors and policymakers, who closely monitor these figures to gauge the health of the manufacturing sector and, by extension, the overall economy.
In the coming months, analysts and investors will be keeping a close eye on these figures, looking for signs of recovery or further decline. As the manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to the US economy, fluctuations in Durable Goods Orders can have far-reaching effects on market sentiment and economic stability.
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