U.S. March Durables Orders Unexpectedly Fall 2.8%

[swag]

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=adqIxFNJBG2A&refer=home

April 27 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. orders for durable goods unexpectedly fell 2.8 percent in March, the biggest decline in more than two years, as demand for aircraft, cars and computers slumped, a government report showed.

Orders for expensive items made to last at least three years decreased to $194 billion after falling a revised 0.2 percent in February, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. Forecasts called for an increase in March orders. Excluding orders for transportation equipment, bookings fell 1 percent after falling a revised 0.2 percent.

Surging costs for gasoline and crude oil are hurting profits at companies such as U.S. appliance maker Maytag Corp., which may be causing investment in new equipment to slow. High fuel costs also are leading consumers to spend less, indicating a slower pace of economic expansion in coming months.

[seasat]

1. The lack of demand usually lowers inflation,

However Shrub Inc's twin deficits and drill, kill, spill energy polcies are keeping inflation postive while demand crashes. Gee, aren't we lucky.

[hatrack]

2. If you decide to pursue a career as a mugger, mug economists

They're so easy to surprise . . .

[phantom power]

6. LOL!

Shocked! Shocked, I tell you. Wages flat, prices rising. Unemployment on the rise. Who would guess that people might -- gasp -- buy less stuff??

[MaineDem]

3. Unexpectedly??? (nt)

[Ripley]

4. Is Bloomberg now writing for the Onion?

Surging costs for gasoline and crude oil are hurting profits REALLY YA THINK??? at companies such as U.S. appliance maker Maytag Corp., which may May....MAY???? be causing investment in new equipment to slow. High fuel costs also are leading consumers to spend less,YOU FUCKS JUST NOW NOTICED THIS?? indicating a slower pace YOU MEAN NO "TURNING THE CORNER" THEN?? of economic expansion in coming months.WHERE EXACTLY WAS THE EXPANSION HAPPENING THAT YOU IMPLY MAY SLOW? you villainous lying arrogant pustules of humanity shit flingers.

[Marthe48]

5. I'm saving up for my old age

to offset the reduced Social Security benefits, the increased medical costs, food, housing, gas ...