Orders for U.S. durable goods excluding defense fell by 1.2% month-over-month in February 2026, reversing a 0.5% rise recorded in January, according to data updated on 7 April 2026. The indicator, which tracks business demand for longer-lasting manufactured products excluding defense-related items, is watched as a gauge of underlying private-sector investment.
The February decline marks a notable pullback from the previous month, when core durables posted a modest gain. On a month-over-month basis, the latest reading suggests a weakening in momentum for business equipment and capital goods orders after a positive start to the year.
With the “actual” figure comparing February to January and the “previous” figure reflecting January’s change versus December, the shift from +0.5% to -1.2% underscores increased volatility in core manufacturing demand early in 2026. Investors and policymakers are likely to monitor upcoming releases to see whether February’s drop proves temporary or signals a more sustained softening in private-sector investment appetite.
