Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 1.7% in February

Washington, DC, April 4, 2016—New orders for manufactured goods in February, down three of the last four months, decreased $8.0 billion or 1.7% to $454.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau has reported.

This followed a 1.2% January increase.

Shipments, down ten of the last eleven months, decreased $3.4 billion or 0.7% to $462.8 billion. This followed a 0.2% January decrease.

Unfilled orders, down two of the last three months, decreased $4.1 billion or 0.3% to $1,184.0 billion. This followed a 0.1% January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.02, up from 6.96 in January.

Inventories, down eight consecutive months, decreased $2.6 billion or 0.4% to $634.3 billion. This followed a 0.5% January decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.37, unchanged from January.