The US Census Bureau announced Monday that new orders for manufactured goods in April, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $469.0 billion. This followed a 1.0 percent March increase.
Shipments, up four of the last five months, increased $0.1 billion in April to $470.8 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent March decrease.
Unfilled orders, up two consecutive months, increased $2.4 billion or 0.2 percent to $1,123.0 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.84, up from 6.81 in March.
Inventories, up six consecutive months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $649.7 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent March increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.38, unchanged from March.