New orders for manufactured goods in April, down eight of the last nine months, decreased $1.8 billion or 0.4 percent to $476.7 billion, the US Census Bureau reported Tuesday. This followed a 2.2 percent March increase.
Shipments, following two consecutive monthly increases, were virtually unchanged at $482.4 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent March increase. Unfilled orders, down four of the last five months, decreased $1.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,202.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.98, down from 6.99 in March.
Inventories, up two of the last three months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $649.0 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent March decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, up from 1.34 in March.