April 25, 2003 - (Editor's Note: Premium Access Members at WhatTheyThink.com can view the complete analysis of this report and other economic news from Dr. Joe Webb.) New Orders NEW ORDERS for manufactured durable goods in March increased $3.4 billion or 2.0 percent to $173.6 billion, the Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.5 percent February decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.8 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 1.3 percent. Shipments SHIPMENTS of manufactured durable goods in March increased $1.8 billion or 1.0 percent to $172.1 billion. This followed a 2.1 percent February decrease. Unfilled Orders UNFILLED ORDERS for manufactured durable goods in March, following six consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.5 billion or 0.3 percent to $477.6 billion. This followed a $0.1 billion February decrease. Inventories INVENTORIES of manufactured durable goods in March increased $0.1 billion to $264.9 billion, following a slight decrease in February. Capital Goods Industries Defense New orders in March, at the highest level since October 2001, increased $1.5 billion or 16.1 percent to $10.8 billion. Nondefense New orders in March increased $1.0 billion or 1.8 percent to $55.0 billion.