New orders for US manufactured goods in August, up five of the last six months, increased $6.7 billion or 1.2 percent to $586.1 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 2.1 percent July decrease.
Shipments, up four consecutive months, increased $7.7 billion or 1.3 percent to $586.0 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent July increase.
Unfilled orders, up eight of the last nine months, increased $5.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $1,335.9 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent July increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.78, down from 6.80 in July.
Inventories, up two consecutive months, increased $2.8 billion or 0.3 percent to $855.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent July increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.46, down from 1.47 in July.