U.S. manufacturers saw orders for durable goods plummet 5.2 percent in January as global economic problems reduced demand from domestic and foreign customers, the government said Thursday. The Commerce Department reported that orders for durable goods—expensive manufactured items expected to last at least three years—fell last month for a record sixth consecutive month. The previous record of four consecutive monthly declines was in 1992. January's weakness was widespread, with orders for vehicles, metals, machinery, computers and electrical equipment, and household appliances all declining. Orders for autos fell 6.4 percent in January, orders for primary metals fell 4.6 percent, and orders for fabricated metal products fell 1.1 percent. Machinery orders fell 2 percent, orders for computers and electronics plunged 16 percent, and orders for electrical equipment and appliances fell 6.1 percent. Excluding volatile transportation orders, durable-goods orders fell 2.5 percent in January, also the sixth consecutive monthly supply. U.S. manufacturers have reduced production and cut employees as they try to lower costs to survive the recession. The collapse of the U.S. housing market has especially hurt demand for building materials and equipment, as well as a range of consumer goods, including furniture and household appliances.
