Strong demand for AI technology boosts US business equipment spending at end of 2025
Orders for key US capital goods rose more than expected in December as the AI boom fueled investment. This strength supports solid economic growth for 2026.
Insights:
The U.S. Commerce Department reported today, February 18, 2026, that December core capital goods orders and shipments rose more than expected, indicating stronger business spending on equipment (core capital goods) that supports economic growth in the US 
US. This report, which covers the final month of 2025, signals a potential boost to investment-driven GDP components and may underpin continued momentum into 2026. The moves were measurable in scale, with core capital goods orders, defined as non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, rising 0.6% month-on-month and 3.5% year-on-year, while shipments of core capital goods jumped 0.9%.
US. This report, which covers the final month of 2025, signals a potential boost to investment-driven GDP components and may underpin continued momentum into 2026. The moves were measurable in scale, with core capital goods orders, defined as non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, rising 0.6% month-on-month and 3.5% year-on-year, while shipments of core capital goods jumped 0.9%.
