New orders for US manufactured goods in October, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $21.8 billion or 3.6 percent to $576.8 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 2.3 percent September increase.
Shipments, down two consecutive months, decreased $8.2 billion or 1.4 percent to $577.8 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged September decrease.
Unfilled orders, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $4.0 billion or 0.3 percent to $1,356.8 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent September increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.90, up from 6.88 in September.
Inventories, up four consecutive months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $857.0 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent September increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.48, up from 1.46 in September.