New orders for US manufactured goods in March, up two of the last three months, increased $5.0 billion or 1.1 percent to $458.4 billion, the US Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.9 percent February decrease.
Shipments, up following eight consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.2 billion or 0.5 percent to $464.7 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent February decrease.
Unfilled orders, down three of the last four months, decreased $1.2 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,182.6 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent February decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.01, down from 7.02 in February.
Inventories, up following eight consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.1 billion or 0.2 percent to $635.1 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent February decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.37, unchanged from February.