Factory Orders up 1.1% in March

Washington, DC, May 4, 2016—New orders for manufactured goods in March, up two of the last three months, increased $5.0 billion or 1.1% to $458.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.9% February decrease.

Shipments, up following eight consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.2 billion or 0.5% to $464.7 billion. This followed a 0.8% February decrease.

Unfilled orders, down three of the last four months, decreased $1.2 billion or 0.1% to $1,182.6 billion. This followed a 0.4% February decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.01, down from 7.02 in February.

Inventories, up following eight consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.1 billion or 0.2% to $635.1 billion. This followed a 0.5% February decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.37, unchanged from February.