2026.05.0414:00:00UTC+00U.S. Core Factory Orders Edge Higher in March, Extending Manufacturing Momentum

U.S. factory orders excluding transportation continued to firm in March 2026, signaling a modest but ongoing recovery in core manufacturing demand. According to updated data released on 4 May 2026, core factory orders rose 1.6% month-over-month, up from a 1.2% increase in February 2026.

The month-over-month comparison shows that the pace of growth in core orders — a closely watched gauge of underlying industrial activity because it strips out the often-volatile transportation sector — strengthened as companies increased bookings for non-transportation goods. The February figure reflected a 1.2% gain from January, while March’s 1.6% reading marks an acceleration from that earlier improvement.

The data suggest that underlying industrial demand is gradually improving, with two consecutive months of expansion and a faster rate of growth in March. Market participants and analysts will be watching whether this upward trend in core factory orders can be sustained in the coming months as broader economic conditions evolve.