Factory Orders Rebound, Up 1.6% in January

Washington, DC, March 3, 2016—New orders for manufactured goods in January, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $7.5 billion or 1.6% to $463.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. This followed a 2.9% December decrease.

Shipments, up following six consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.4 billion or 0.3% to $468.4 billion. This followed a 1.4% December decrease.

Unfilled orders, up three of the last four months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.1% to $1,188.1 billion. This followed a 0.5% December decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.93, down from 7.08 in December.

Inventories, down seven consecutive months, decreased $2.7 billion or 0.4% to $637.5 billion. This followed a 0.2% December decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.36, down from 1.37 in December.