New orders for US manufactured goods in December, up two of the last three months, increased $8.6 billion or 1.8 percent to $499.3 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.2 percent November decrease.
Shipments, up three consecutive months, increased $2.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $504.1 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent November increase.
Unfilled orders, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.6 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,156.2 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent November decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.65, down from 6.66 in November.
Inventories, up 12 of the last 13 months, increased $3.5 billion or 0.5 percent to $704.9 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.40, unchanged from November.