Durable Goods Orders in the US increased by 3.2%, or $8.6 billion, in March to $276.4 billion, the US Census Bureau announced on Wednesday. This reading followed February's contraction of 1.2% (revised from -1%) and surpassed the market expectation for an increase of 0.8% by a wide margin.

"Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.3%," the publication further read. "Excluding defense, new orders increased 3.5%. Transportation equipment, also up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $8.1 billion or 9.1% to $97.4 billion."