Manufactured Goods Orders Rose 1.6% in March

Washington, DC, May 3, 2018-New orders for manufactured goods in March, up seven of the last eight months, increased $7.8 billion or 1.6% to $507.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.6% February increase.

Shipments, up fifteen of the last sixteen months, increased $2.1 billion or 0.4% to $502.8 billion. This followed a 0.2% February increase.

Unfilled orders, up six of the last seven months, increased $9.2 billion or 0.8% to $1,153.8 billion. This followed a 0.3% February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.52, up from 6.51 in February. Inventories, up sixteen of the last seventeen months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.3% to $677.3 billion. This followed a 0.4% February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from February.