New orders for US-manufactured goods rose 0.9% month over month in July 2026, rebounding from a revised 0.2% decline in June and surpassing market expectations for a 0.6% gain. The overall increase was driven primarily by a 2.3% rise in transportation equipment orders, supported by a 12.7% surge in civilian aircraft and parts. Orders also advanced for defense aircraft and parts (4.9%), ships and boats (5.3%), and motor vehicles (0.4%).
Outside of transportation, demand strengthened in several key categories, including primary metals (2.0%), machinery (0.8%), and fabricated metal products (0.6%). In contrast, orders declined for computers and electronic products (-1.1%) and for electrical equipment, appliances, and components (-0.3%). Excluding transportation, factory orders increased 0.6%, while excluding defense, they rose 1.0%.