Manufacturers face weaker demand and reduced business investment

  • Durable-goods orders fell 5.4% in October due to fewer contracts for Boeing passenger planes
  • Most other manufacturers also reported weaker demand
  • New orders, excluding airplanes and cars, were flat last month
  • Overall business investment fell for the second consecutive month
  • Core orders, a proxy for broader business investment, slipped 0.1% in October
  • Higher borrowing costs have discouraged companies from borrowing and investing as much

Orders for durable goods, excluding airplanes and cars, remained stagnant in October, while overall business investment fell for the second consecutive month. The decline in durable-goods orders was primarily driven by fewer contracts for Boeing passenger planes, but most other manufacturers also reported weaker demand. Core orders, which serve as a proxy for broader business investment, slipped 0.1% in October. This decline can be attributed to higher borrowing costs, which have discouraged companies from borrowing and investing as much. The report suggests that manufacturers are facing challenges in recovering from the impact of reduced demand and decreased business investment.

Public Companies: Boeing (BA)
Private Companies:
Key People:


Factuality Level: 7
Justification: The article provides factual information about the decline in orders for durable goods in October, including the specific reason for the decline (fewer contracts for Boeing passenger planes). It also mentions that most other manufacturers reported somewhat weaker demand. The article includes data from economists polled by the Wall Street Journal and mentions that new orders were flat when airplanes and cars are stripped out. It also mentions that overall business investment fell for the second month in a row and provides information about core orders and how higher borrowing costs have discouraged companies from investing. The article concludes with a mention of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 set to open higher in Wednesday trades, which is not directly related to the main topic.

Noise Level: 3
Justification: The article provides some relevant information about the decline in durable goods orders, but it lacks depth and analysis. It also includes unnecessary information about the stock market and does not provide any actionable insights or solutions.

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The news article pertains to the decline in orders for durable goods, which can impact manufacturing companies, particularly those in the transportation sector such as Boeing.

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: The article discusses the decline in orders for durable goods, specifically due to fewer contracts for Boeing passenger planes. This can have an impact on the financial performance of manufacturing companies, particularly in the transportation sector. However, there is no mention of any extreme events or their impact.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com