Durable Goods Orders Rebound in January
New orders for manufactured durable goods rose by 3.1% to $286.0 billion in January, following two consecutive monthly declines. The $8.7 billion increase was primarily led by transportation equipment, which surged 9.8% to $96.5 billion. Excluding transportation, new orders were flat, while excluding defense, they rose 3.5%. This rebound in durable goods orders indicates a potential stabilization in manufacturing activity, which could support economic growth if sustained.
State-Level Jobless Claims Highlight Regional Variability
Kentucky and Tennessee recorded the largest increases in jobless claims, up by 3,012 and 2,766 respectively, driven by layoffs in the manufacturin