Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 1.9% in March

Washington, DC, May 2, 2019-New orders for manufactured goods in March, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $9.3 billion or 1.9% to $508.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 0.3% February decrease. Shipments, up two consecutive months, increased $3.7 billion or 0.7% to $509.7 billion. This followed a 0.5% February increase. Unfilled orders, up two of the last three months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.2% to $1,181.2 billion. This followed a 0.2% February decrease. The unfilled orders‐to‐shipments ratio was 6.56, unchanged from February. Inventories, up twenty‐eight of the last twenty‐nine months, increased $2.8 billion or 0.4% to $690.9 billion. This followed a 0.3% February increase. The inventories‐to‐shipments ratio was 1.36, unchanged from February.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $6.6 billion or 2.6% to $258.0 billion, down from the previously published 2.7% increase. This followed a 1.3% February decrease. Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, led the increase, $6.1 billion or 7.0% to $93.8 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $2.8 billion or 1.1% to $250.2 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.4% to $259.5 billion, up from the previously published 0.3% increase. This followed a 0.2% February increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, drove the increase, $1.0 billion or 1.1% to $90.7 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up two consecutive months, increased $2.8 billion or 1.1% to $250.2 billion. This followed a 0.8% February increase. Petroleum and coal products, also up two consecutive months, drove the increase, $3.2 billion or 6.0% to $55.5 billion.

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up two of the last three months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.2% to $1,181.2 billion, down from the previously published 0.3% increase. This followed a 0.2% February decrease. Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, drove the increase, $3.1 billion or 0.4% to $811.9 billion.