The US Census Bureau announced today that new orders for manufactured goods in March, up seven of the last eight months, increased $7.8 billion or 1.6 percent to $507.7 billion. This followed a 1.6 percent February increase.
Shipments, up fifteen of the last sixteen months, increased $2.1 billion or 0.4 percent to $502.8 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent February increase.
Unfilled orders, up six of the last seven months, increased $9.2 billion or 0.8 percent to $1,153.8 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.52, up from 6.51 in February.
Inventories, up sixteen of the last seventeen months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.3 percent to $677.3 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from February.