New orders for US manufactured goods in January, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $6.9 billion or 1.4 percent to $491.7 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.8 percent December increase.
Shipments, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, increased $2.8 billion or 0.6 percent to $498.8 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent December increase.
Unfilled orders, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.9 billion or 0.3 percent to $1,141.2 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent December increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.54, down from 6.58 in December.
Inventories, up fourteen of the last fifteen months, increased $2.1 billion or 0.3 percent to $672.4 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent December increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from December.