Manufactured Goods Orders Rose 1.9% in April

Washington, DC, June 3, 2016—New orders for manufactured goods in April, up three of the last four months, increased $8.7 billion or 1.9% to $460.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.7% March increase.

Shipments, up two consecutive months, increased $2.2 billion or 0.5% to $456.8 billion. This followed a 0.3% March increase.

Unfilled orders, up three of the last four months, increased $6.6 billion or 0.6% to $1,137.3 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.94, up from 6.93 in March.

Inventories, down eleven of the last twelve months, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1% to $620.8 billion. This followed a 0.1% March decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.36, down from 1.37 in March.