New orders for manufactured goods in August, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $18.6 billion or 4% to $444.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported on Oct. 2.
This was the largest percent decrease in new orders since October 2006 and followed a 0.7% July increase.
Shipments, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $16.4 billion or 3.5% to $446 billion. This was the largest percent decrease inshipments since September 2006 and followed a 1.4% July increase.
Unfilled orders, up thirty of the last thirty-one months, increased $3 billion or 0.4%.
Inventories, up eleven of the twelve months, increased $3.4 billion or 0.6% to $562.5 billion.