Durable Goods Orders
Definition
New orders for long-lasting manufactured goods (aircraft, machinery, autos, electronics). The report includes core capital-goods orders, a proxy for business investment.
Why investors care
Durable orders foreshadow future production and capex; the core capital-goods line feeds business-investment GDP.
What to watch
Strip out volatile aircraft and defense — core orders (nondefense capital goods ex-aircraft) is the signal traders use.