New orders for manufactured goods in February, down three of the last four months, decreased $3.9 billion or 0.7 percent to $536.4 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 2.1 percent January decrease.
Shipments, also down three of the last four months, decreased $2.8 billion or 0.5 percent to $542.8 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January increase.
Unfilled orders, down following 29 consecutive monthly increases, decreased $1.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,155.6 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.10, up from 6.09 in January.
Inventories, down two consecutive months, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.1 percent to $806.3 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent January decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.49, up from 1.48 in January.