WASHINGTON -- New orders for durable goods slipped in March, falling 1.3% to $176.7 billion, the US Department of Commerce said, as demand for civilian aerospace and certain transportation goods dragged down the rest of the index.

It was the first time in four months new orders fell. The results were lower than the consensus outlook, which predicted a 0.4% rise.

For the month, new aircraft orders were down 67%, Commerce said. Excluding transportation goods, new orders rose 2.8% to $136.5 billion in March, the fastest growth since the recession began in December 2007. Core capital equipment goods rose 4%, the largest increase since June.

Shipments of new orders rose 1.2%, following two months of declines, Commerce said.