Orders for Manufactured Goods Up in March, 9th Consecutive Rise

Washington, DC, May 4, 2017-New orders for manufactured goods in March, up eight of the last nine months, increased $0.8 billion or 0.2% to $478.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.2% February increase.

Shipments, down following seven consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1% to $478.8 billion. This followed a 0.2% February increase.

Unfilled orders, up two consecutive months, increased $2.9 billion or 0.3% to $1,119.6 billion. This followed a 0.1% February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.52, down from 6.54 in February.

Inventories, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $629.7 billion. This followed a 0.2% February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.32, up from 1.31 in February.