Machine Tool Orders Increase 1.9% in April

In April, machine tool orders were 1,658 units and $316,586,000.

Compared with one year ago, unit orders in April were up 1.9 percent. This was the sixth consecutive month of growth, although the growth rate has been relatively weak. The 12/12 rate of growth accelerated for the second month in a row. In April, the annual rate of growth was the fastest since May 2015.

Real dollar orders were increased 13.4 percent compared with one year ago. This was the fourth time in six months that real dollar orders grew. As a result, the annual rate of change grew for the first time since May 2015 and it was the fastest rate of growth since October 2014. 

In April, the average price of a machine surged to $191,000, which was the highest average price since January 2015.