The US Census Bureau announced today that new orders for manufactured goods in December, up six of the last seven months, increased $8.5 billion or 1.7 percent to $498.2 billion. This followed a 1.7 percent November increase.
Shipments, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $2.9 billion or 0.6 percent to $495.4 billion. This followed a 1.4 percent November increase.
Unfilled orders, up four consecutive months, increased $7.1 billion or 0.6 percent to $1,144.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent November increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.59, up from 6.58 in November.
Inventories, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, increased $3.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $669.2 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from November.