US Core Durable Goods Orders Surge 0.9% in December, Tripling Expectations

US core durable goods orders, which exclude transportation, rose by 0.9% in December, significantly outperforming the 0.3% growth forecast by analysts. While headline durable goods orders fell by 1.4% due to a slump in the volatile aircraft sector, the decline was less severe than the anticipated 2% drop. A key highlight was the 0.9% surge in core capital goods orders, a vital proxy for business equipment investment and long-term economic health. This marks the ninth consecutive monthly increase in core orders, signaling robust underlying demand within the US manufacturing sector. The data suggests that corporate spending remains resilient despite broader macroeconomic headwinds. Market participants view these figures as a bullish signal for the US Dollar (DXY) and equity indices like the SPY, reflecting a stronger-than-expected economic outlook.