New orders for US manufactured goods in February, down four of the last five months, decreased $2.6 billion or 0.5 percent to $497.5 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a virtually unchanged January decrease.
Shipments, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $505.5 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January decrease.
Unfilled orders, down four of the last five months, decreased $3.6 billion or 0.3 percent to $1,177.6 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent January increase. The unfilled orders‐to‐shipments ratio was 6.54, down from 6.57 in January.
Inventories, up 27 of the last 28 months, increased $2.0 billion or 0.3 percent to $687.8 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent January increase. The inventories‐to‐shipments ratio was 1.36, unchanged from January.