Orders for Durable Goods Dropped in August

A September 30th article in ThomasNet News titled Durable Goods Orders Drop Unexpectedly provides another negative economic indicator showing that emergence from this recession could be very difficult indeed. That news is that in August new orders for manufactured durable goods declined. Durable goods include appliances, automobiles and machinery. The decline was unexpected. The gimmicky cash for clunkers program provided a slight upward impetus. However, the cause for that trend disappeared when rebates ended in August. Doubt and lack of confidence describe current attitudes of potential purchasers.