Core Durable Goods Orders Rose in August 2026

U.S. orders for core durable goods increased for the seventeenth straight month in August.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Economic Indicators

Isometric editorial illustration of unbranded fiber-optic routers and server hardware components stacked neatly, representing investment in digital manufacturing infrastructure. — U.S. core durable goods orders increased by 0.3 percent in August 2026, extending a seventeen-month streak of growth driven by communication infrastructure investment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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U.S. core durable goods orders rose 0.3 percent in August 2026, marking the seventeenth consecutive month of growth for the category. The figures reflect a resilient demand environment supported by strong investment in communication infrastructure.

Why it matters

The sustained growth in core durable goods suggests that businesses are continuing to prioritize capital investments in technology. This trend highlights the ongoing influence of digital infrastructure spending on the broader manufacturing sector.

Core durable goods orders grew 0.3 percent in August from July, reaching an 11.1 percent increase over the prior year. Meanwhile, broader durable goods orders saw no change as a drop in Boeing orders offset other gains.

The players

Boeing

Boeing is a major American aerospace company that manufactures commercial jetliners and defense equipment.

The details

Demand was largely bolstered by AI-related spending, which pushed up requirements for network and communications equipment. This category encompasses essential gear such as cellular tower electronics, fiber-optic hardware, routers, and switches.

Q2 2022 served as the comparison point for the annual performance data.
July 2026 provided the baseline for the month-over-month growth statistics.
August 2026 marked the period of the reported economic growth.

Macro View

This seventeenth consecutive month of growth mirrors historical periods of capital intensity following significant technological shifts. The steady climb reflects an economic environment that diverges from the volatility often seen during previous post-recession recovery cycles.

For the average American, this sustained business investment supports job security within the manufacturing and tech-support sectors. Continued spending on network infrastructure may also lead to faster deployment of high-speed connectivity services in local communities.

The takeaway

Businesses remain committed to expanding their technological capabilities despite fluctuations in other industrial sectors like aerospace. Monitoring these capital expenditure trends can provide early insights into the health of the broader technology supply chain.