In December, Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 1.8%

Washington, DC, February 2, 2023-New orders for manufactured goods in December, up four of the last five months, increased $10.0 billion or 1.8% to $552.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. This followed a 1.9% November decrease.

Shipments, down two consecutive months, decreased $4.0 billion or 0.7% to $543.3 billion. This followed a 0.9% November decrease.

Unfilled orders, up twenty-eight consecutive months, increased $14.4 billion or 1.3% to $1,158.0 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged November increase.

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.07, up from 6.01 in November.

Inventories, up four consecutive months, increased $3.0 billion or 0.4% to $807.8 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.49, up from 1.47 in November.