New orders for manufactured goods in March, up eight of the last nine months, increased $0.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $478.2 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.2 percent February increase.
Shipments, down following seven consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $478.8 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent February increase.
Unfilled orders, up two consecutive months, increased $2.9 billion or 0.3 percent to $1,119.6 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.52, down from 6.54 in February.
Inventories, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $629.7 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.32, up from 1.31 in February.