WASHINGTON -- New orders for manufactured durable goods in the US increased 3% to $214.5 billion in December on strong demand for new aircraft.

It was the fifth increase in the past six months, the US Census Bureau said. The Census Bureau also revised the November increase upwards to 4.3%.

New orders increased 2.1% excluding transportation and 3.5% excluding defense. Transportation equipment, up two consecutive months, had the largest increase, $3.0 billion or 5.5 percent to $58.4 billion. This was due to nondefense aircraft and parts, which increased $3.1 billion.

Shipments rose 2.1%, unfilled orders increased 1.5% led by transportation equipment, and inventories rose 0.3%.

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