New orders for manufactured goods in May, down three of the last four months, decreased $3.6 billion or 0.7 percent to $493.6 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.2 percent April decrease.
Shipments, up three of the last four months, increased $0.4 billion or 0.1 percent to $504.3 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent April decrease.
Unfilled orders, down three of the last four months, decreased $6.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $1,171.1 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent April decrease. The unfilled orders‐to‐shipments ratio was 6.64, down from 6.69 in April.
Inventories, up eight of the last nine months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.2 percent to $694.1 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent April increase. The inventories‐to‐shipments ratio was 1.38, up from 1.37 in April.