New orders for US manufactured goods in January, down two of the last three months, decreased $8.9 billion or 1.6 percent to $542.8 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.7 percent December increase.
Shipments, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $3.8 billion or 0.7 percent to $547.8 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent December decrease.
Unfilled orders, up 29 consecutive months, increased $0.3 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,157.0 billion. This followed a 1.1 percent December increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.07, up from 6.06 in December.
Inventories, up five consecutive months, increased $0.4 billion or virtually unchanged to $808.3 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent December increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.48, down from 1.49 in December.