New orders for manufactured goods in May, up five of the last six months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.3 percent to $578.0 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.3 percent April increase.
Shipments, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.6 billion or 0.3 percent to $572.6 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent April decrease.
Unfilled orders, up five of the last six months, increased $10.5 billion or 0.8 percent to $1,301.9 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent April increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.65, down from 6.71 in April.
Inventories, down three of the last four months, decreased $1.7 billion or 0.2 percent to $853.8 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent April increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.49, down from 1.50 in April.