US August Durable Goods Orders Beat Forecasts at Flat 0.0%

United States durable goods orders were flat at 0.0% month-over-month in August, outperforming consensus forecasts of a 0.4% contraction following a 1.1% gain previously. Key core investment metrics showed solid momentum, led by non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft surging 1.6% against a 0.5% forecast. Durable goods orders excluding transportation rose 0.3%, trailing expectations of 0.6%, while orders excluding defense expanded 0.1%. The robust core figures bolster economic momentum and back expectations for a hawkish Federal Reserve monetary policy stance.