Economic Viewpoints
Businesses Continue Investing |
| Durable goods orders are a closely watched indicator of the economy’s health. It covers bigger-ticket items consumers buy – everything from toasters to cars – and capital goods businesses purchase – like tools and equipment. Why it matters: Orders fell more than 6% in January, but diving into the data we see little reason for alarm. Details: The decline was driven by a 60% drop in aircraft sales compared to December. Planes are expensive and their sales jump around from month to month, heavily influencing the data.
Looking ahead: Changes in how much families and businesses spend on durable goods will give us insight into where the economy is headed. |