New orders for US manufactured goods in August, up three of the last four months, increased $11.5 billion or 2.3 percent to $510.5 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.5 percent July decrease.
Shipments, up 15 of the last 16 months, increased $2.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $504.0 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged July increase.
Unfilled orders, up nine of the last 10 months, increased $10.4 billion or 0.9 percent to $1,176.5 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent July increase.
The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.68, down from 6.72 in July. Inventories, down following 21 consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $675.6 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent July increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.34, down from 1.35 in July.