U.S. durable goods orders excluding defense showed a smaller decline in March 2026, suggesting a tentative stabilization in core manufacturing demand. According to data updated on 29 April 2026, the indicator eased by 0.3% month-over-month, compared with a 1.1% drop registered in the prior month.
Both readings refer to March 2026, but capture different comparison periods: the previous figure of -1.1% reflects the change from February to March relative to the prior month, while the current -0.3% shows a milder contraction when comparing March to February on the latest data revision basis. The moderation in the pace of decline may be interpreted by markets as a sign that core demand—stripping out volatile defense-related orders—is no longer deteriorating as rapidly as earlier in the year.
While the indicator remains in negative territory, the reduced month-on-month drop could temper concerns about a sharper slowdown in business investment. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming releases closely to see whether March marks the beginning of a more sustained stabilization in the U.S. durables sector.
