The US Census Bureau reported Thursday that new orders for manufactured durable goods in February decreased $1.9 billion or 0.9 percent to $200 billion. This decrease, down four of the last five months, followed a 3.6 percent January increase.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, up five of the last six months, fell $0.7 billion or 0.3 percent to $203.2 billion after a 0.2 percent January increase.
Unfilled orders in February rose $2.9 billion, or 0.4 percent, to $833.7 billion in February. Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February are up 10 of the last 11 months.
Inventories also increased by $2.9 billion in February, reaching $328.3 billion. Compared to January inventories, this represents a 0.9 percent month-over-month increase.