Durable goods orders advanced 4.7% in September to $297.2B, compared with the 1.7% increase expected and the 0.1% decline (revised from +0.2%) in August. The monthly ascent followed two straight months of decreases. Excluding transportation, core durable goods orders rose 0.5% vs. +0.2% consensus and +0.5% prior. Durables, excluding defense: +5.8% vs. -0.7% prior. Non-defense orders, excluding aircraft: +0.6% vs. +0.1% consensus and +1.1% prior, the U.S. Census Bureau said. (full story)