Orders for U.S. durables excluding defense inched up in September, with the indicator rising to 2.3% month-over-month from 2.2% previously, according to data updated on 3 November 2026. The measure, which strips out defense-related volatility, is closely watched as a proxy for underlying business demand for longer-lasting equipment and goods.
Both the current and previous readings refer to September 2026, with the “actual” figure comparing September’s performance to August, and the “previous” figure reflecting the change in the prior month versus its predecessor. The slight acceleration suggests that core demand for durable goods remained resilient on a sequential basis, potentially supporting a more stable outlook for private-sector investment heading into the final quarter of 2026.
