New orders for manufactured goods in August, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $8.2 billion or 1.7 percent to $473.0 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.2 percent July increase.
Shipments, down four of the last five months, decreased $3.2 billion or 0.7 percent to $480.1 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent July decrease.
Unfilled orders, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.4 billion or 0.2 percent to $1,195.0 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent July increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.87, down from 6.89 in July.
Inventories, down two consecutive months, decreased $1.6 billion or 0.3 percent to $648.4 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent July decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, up from 1.34 in July.