Manufactured Goods Orders Fell 0.2% in April

Washington, DC, June 5, 2017-New orders for manufactured goods in April, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.2% to $469.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.0% March increase.

Shipments, up four of the last five months, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $470.8 billion. This followed a 0.2% March decrease.

Unfilled orders, up two consecutive months, increased $2.4 billion or 0.2% to $1,123.0 billion. This followed a 0.3% March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.84, up from 6.81 in March. Inventories, up six consecutive months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.1% to $649.7 billion. This followed a 0.2% March increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.38, unchanged from March.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in April, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $1.8 billion or 0.8% to $231.0 billion, down from the previously published 0.7% decrease. This followed a 2.4% March increase. Transportation equipment, down following two consecutive monthly increases, led the decrease, $1.1 billion or 1.4% to $78.4 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $1.0 billion or 0.4% to $238.0 billion.