New orders for manufactured goods in March, down four of the last five months, decreased $51.0 billion or 10.3 percent to $445.8 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.1 percent February decrease.
Shipments, down three consecutive months, decreased $26.2 billion or 5.2 percent to $473.6 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent February decrease.
Unfilled orders, down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $23.6 billion or 2.0 percent to $1,134.9 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.57, down from 6.62 in February.
Inventories, down three consecutive months, decreased $5.8 billion or 0.8 percent to $693.5 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent February decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.46, up from 1.40 in February.