New orders for US manufactured goods in January, down two of the last three months, decreased $2.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $497.9 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.9 percent December increase.
Shipments, down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $501.8 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent December increase.
Unfilled orders, up three of the last four months, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,157.0 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged December increase. The unfilled orders‐to‐shipments ratio was 6.63, down from 6.65 in December.
Inventories, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $703.4 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent December increase. The inventories-to‐shipments ratio was 1.40, unchanged from December.