The US Census Bureau today announced the February full report on manufacturers’ shipments, inventories and orders.
New orders for manufactured goods in February, up seven of the last eight months, increased $4.8 billion or 1.0 percent to $476.5 billion. This followed a 1.5 percent January increase.
Shipments, up 11 of the last 12 months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.3 percent to $480.0 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January increase.
Unfilled orders, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,115.3 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.53, down from 6.57 in January.
Inventories, up seven of the last eight months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.2 percent to $630.0 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.31, unchanged from January.
By stage of fabrication, February materials and supplies decreased 0.1 percent in durable goods and increased 0.5 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.6 percent in durable goods and 0.1 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.1 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.1 percent in nondurable goods.