New orders for US manufactured goods in October, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $6.8 billion or 1.5 percent to $473.9 billion, the US Census Bureau reported Thursday. This followed a 0.8 percent September decrease.
Shipments, down six of the last seven months, decreased $2.5 billion or 0.5 percent to $475.2 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent September decrease.
Unfilled orders, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $3.4 billion or 0.3 percent to $1,191.8 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent September decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.94, up from 6.86 in September.
Inventories, down four consecutive months, decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $643.6 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent September decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from September.