Factory orders inch up in August
New orders for manufactured goods in August, up two consecutive months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.1% to $663.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Oct. 2.
This followed a 0.8% July increase.
Shipments, down following eight consecutive monthly increases, decreased less than $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $658.6 billion. This followed a 0.8% July increase.
Unfilled orders, up 25 of the last 26 months, increased $9.9 billion or 0.6% to $1,609.6 billion. This followed a 0.6% July increase.
The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.87, up from 6.81 in July.
Inventories, up 11 consecutive months, increased $5.1 billion or 0.5% to $972.4 billion. This followed a 0.4% July increase.
The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.48, up from 1.47 in July.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The September/October issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Rotator Products. 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.
