New orders for US manufactured goods in February, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $497.4 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.5 percent January decrease.
Shipments, down two consecutive months, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $500.3 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent January decrease.
Unfilled orders, up four of the last five months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,158.6 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.61, down from 6.62 in January.
Inventories, down two consecutive months, decreased $2.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $699.4 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.40, unchanged from January.