About This Metric

Manufacturers' New Orders: Defense Capital Goods is a data set released monthly by the US Census Bureau. This data set tracks how much money US manufacturers are receiving in new orders for military equipment and technology, from aircraft and missiles to small arms and communication systems. It gives us a snapshot of how active the defense industry is at any given time.

Because these are long-term, high-value items, an increase in orders usually reflects a boost in government spending or a shift in national defense priorities. When new orders rise, it can indicate that the government is preparing for future defense needs or responding to global tensions. On the flip side, a drop might suggest tightening budgets or changes in sentiment in industry.

Units: Millions of Dollars

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