US: Durable Goods Orders decline by 4.5% in January vs -4% expected

• Durable Goods Orders in the US declined sharply in January.
• US Dollar Index stays in negative territory near 105.00.

Durable Goods Orders in the US decreased by 4.5%, or $13 billion, in January to $272.3 billion, the US Census Bureau announced on Monday. This reading followed December's increase of 4% and came in slightly weaker than the market expectation for a decrease of 4%.

"Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.7%," the publication read. "Excluding defense, new orders decreased 5.1%. Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, drove the decrease, $14.2 billion or 13.3%, to $92.8 billion."

Market reaction

With the initial reaction, the US Dollar Index edged lower and was last seen losing 0.25% on the day at 105.00.