New orders for US manufactured goods in April, down two of the last three months, decreased $4.0 billion or 0.8 percent to $499.3 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.3 percent March increase.
Shipments, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.7 billion or 0.5 percent to $504.1 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent March increase.
Unfilled orders, down two of the last three months, decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,179.3 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent March increase. The unfilled orders‐to‐shipments ratio was 6.69, up from 6.61 in March.
Inventories, up seven of the last eight months, increased $1.8 billion or 0.3 percent to $692.9 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent March increase. The inventories‐to‐shipments ratio was 1.37, up from 1.36 in March.