New data show a modest improvement in U.S. durable goods orders excluding defense in February, pointing to tentative stabilization in core industrial demand.
According to figures updated on 10 April 2026, the month‑over‑month change in durables excluding defense stood at -1.1% in February 2026, compared with a revised -1.2% in the previous period. Both the current and prior readings refer to February 2026, with the “actual” figure measuring the change versus January, and the “previous” figure reflecting the earlier comparison to the prior month.
While orders remain in negative territory, the slightly smaller decline suggests that underlying business spending on long‑lasting manufactured goods—stripped of volatile defense components—may be stabilizing after a weaker spell. Market participants will now watch coming releases to see whether February’s marginal improvement marks the beginning of a more sustained recovery in core capital demand.
