New orders for US manufactured goods in October, up four consecutive months, increased $12.5 billion or 2.7 percent to $469.4 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.6 percent September increase.
Shipments, up seven of the last eight months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.4 percent to $464.7 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent September increase.
Unfilled orders, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, increased $8.2 billion or 0.7 percent to $1,128.5 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent September decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.78, up from 6.70 in September.
Inventories, up three of the last four months, increased $0.3 billion or virtually unchanged to $621.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent September decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.34, unchanged from September.
By stage of fabrication, October materials and supplies were virtually unchanged in durable goods and increased 0.6 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process decreased 0.2 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.7 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.3 percent in durable goods and increased 0.2 percent in nondurable goods.