Factory Orders Rise Following Six Consecutive Decreases

April 2, 2015, Washington, D.C.—New orders for manufactured goods in February increased $0.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $468.3 billion, following six consecutive monthly decreases, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.

The increase comes after a 0.7 percent decrease in January. Excluding transportation, new orders rose 0.8 percent.

Shipments increased $3.6 billion or 0.7 percent to $481.3 billion, after four consecutive monthly decreases.

Unfilled orders, down three consecutive months, decreased $5.9 billion or 0.5 percent to $1,156.3 billion. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.71, unchanged from January.

Inventories increased $0.9 billion or 0.1 percent to $651.0 billion after two consecutive monthly decreases. The increase follows a 0.4 percent January decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, down from 1.36 in January.