New orders for manufactured goods in August, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $14.4 billion or 3.3% to $420.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Oct. 4. This followed a 3.4% July increase.
Shipments, down two the last three months, decreased $6.7 billion or 1.6% to $417.9 billion. This followed a 2.3% July increase.
Unfilled orders, up twenty-seven of the last twenty-eight months, increased $9.1 billion or 1.2% to $763.5 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 2.3% July increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.06, up from 4.93 in July.
Inventories, down following six consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1% to $516.6 billion. This followed a 0.1% July increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.24, up from 1.22 in July.