Factory orders up 1.8 percent
New orders for manufactured goods increased 1.8 percent in December to $484.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.
The increase followed a 0.3 percent November decrease. Excluding tratransportation, new orders increased 0.2 percent.
Shipments, up five of the last six months, increased $1.8 billion or 0.4 percent to $484.9 billion.
Unfilled orders, up six of the last seven months, increased $7.9 billion or 0.8 percent to $991.7 billion.
Inventories, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $615.5 billion.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The May/June issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about GHX Industrial. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
