According to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Thursday, orders for core capital goods at U.S. factories (excluding aircraft and military hardware) inched up by 0.1% in March 2025, following a revised drop of 0.3% in February. This modest increase underscores the growing caution among corporations amidst the prevailing uncertainty regarding tariff and tax policies. Concurrently, the growth rate of capital goods shipments has also decelerated. As a pivotal sector of the U.S. economy, shifts in manufacturing orders and shipments offer a vital lens through which to gauge the trajectory of the nation's economic health.
