The US Census Bureau announced today that new orders for manufactured goods in February, up six of the last seven months, increased $6.0 billion or 1.2 percent to $498.0 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent January decrease.
Shipments, up fourteen of the last fifteen months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.2 percent to $500.5 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent January increase.
Unfilled orders, up five of the last six months, increased $1.9 billion or 0.2 percent to $1,142.8 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.49, down from 6.52 in January.
Inventories, up fifteen of the last sixteen months, increased $2.3 billion or 0.3 percent to $675.2 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent January increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from January.