Core durable goods orders in the United States rose 0.8% in February 2026 on a month-over-month basis, doubling the pace of January’s 0.4% increase, according to data updated on 7 April 2026. The core measure excludes volatile items and is closely watched as an indicator of underlying business investment trends.
The February gain marks a clear pickup in momentum compared with the previous month, when January’s 0.4% rise reflected a more modest improvement from December. On a month-over-month comparison, the latest reading suggests that demand for longer-lasting, non-volatile goods—often associated with capital expenditure plans—is strengthening.
With February’s stronger print, the data hint at improving confidence among businesses, potentially supporting broader economic activity if the trend persists in the coming months. Investors and policymakers will be monitoring subsequent releases to see whether this acceleration in core durable goods orders is sustained or proves to be a temporary bump.
