New orders for US manufactured goods in December, up four of the last five months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.2 percent to $594.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 2.6 percent November increase.
Shipments, up two consecutive months, increased $0.3 billion or virtually unchanged to $581.0 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent November increase.
Unfilled orders, up 12 of the last 13 months, increased $18.2 billion or 1.3 percent to $1,393.2 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent November increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.08, up from 6.96 in November.
Inventories, up six consecutive months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.1 percent to $857.7 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.48, unchanged from November.