Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 1.8% in December

Washington, DC, February 4, 2020-New orders for manufactured goods in December, up two of the last three months, increased $8.6 billion or 1.8% to $499.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.2% November decrease.

Shipments, up three consecutive months, increased $2.3 billion or 0.5% to $504.1 billion. This followed a 0.3% November increase.

Unfilled orders, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.6 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,156.2 billion. This followed a 0.6% November decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.65, down from 6.66 in November.

Inventories, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $3.5 billion or 0.5% to $704.9 billion. This followed a 0.3% November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.40, unchanged from November.