Manufactured goods new orders up about 3%
New orders for manufactured goods in September, up six of the last seven months, increased $16.1 billion or 2.8% to $601.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported last week.
This followed a 1.0% August increase. Shipments, up five consecutive months, increased $2.1 billion or 0.4% to $588.1 billion. This followed a 1.3% August increase.
Unfilled orders, up nine of the last 10 months, increased $18.4 billion or 1.4% to $1,353.6 billion. This followed a 0.3% August increase.
The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.88, up from 6.78 in August. Inventories, up three consecutive months, increased $2.0 billion or 0.2% to $857.3 billion. This followed a 0.3% August increase.
The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.46, unchanged from August.