Investing.com - U.S. orders for long lasting manufactured goods fell more than forecast in June, while core orders unexpectedly declined, according to official data released on Wednesday.
Total durable goods orders, which include transportation items, fell 4.0% last month, the Commerce Department said, compared to economists' expectations for a decline of 1.1%.
May's orders were revised down to show a decrease of 2.8% from a previously reported 2.3% decline.
Durable goods are typically bulky or heavy manufactured products designed to last at least three years.
Core durable goods orders, which exclude volatile transportation items, unexpectedly fell 0.5% last month, compared to forecasts for a 0.3% gain.
May's core durable goods orders showed a 0.4% decline, revised from the initial 0.3% drop.
Immediately after the release, the dollar weakened. EUR/USD was trading at 1.1002 from around 1.0992 ahead of the publication; GBP/USD was at 1.3118 from 1.3099 earlier; while USD/JPY was at 105.60 from 105.72 earlier.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 97.22, compared to 97.32 ahead of the report.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open. The Dow futures gained 47 points, or 0.26%, the S&P 500 futures rose 4 points, or 0.18%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures traded up 37 points, or 0.79%.
Elsewhere, in the commodities market, gold futures traded at $1,330.60 a troy ounce, compared to $1,328.20 ahead of the data, while crude oil traded at $42.77 a barrel from $42.76 earlier.