New orders for US manufactured goods in April, up four of the last five months, increased $2.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $577.5 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.6 percent March increase.
Shipments, down five of the last six months, decreased $2.5 billion or 0.4 percent to $572.3 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent March decrease.
Unfilled orders, up four of the last five months, increased $10.4 billion or 0.8 percent to $1,291.3 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.71, up from 6.60 in March.
Inventories, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $4.2 billion or 0.5 percent to $856.7 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent March decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.50, up from 1.48 in March.