Orders for Manufactured Goods Declined 0.5% in May

Washington, DC, July 3, 2024-New orders for manufactured goods in May, down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $3.0 billion or 0.5% to $583.1 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. This followed a 0.4% April increase.

Shipments, also down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $4.2 billion or 0.7% to $584.8 billion. This followed a 0.8% April increase.

Unfilled orders, up forty-six consecutive months, increased $3.1 billion or 0.2% to $1,402.8 billion. This followed a 0.1% April increase.

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.18, up from 7.11 in April. Inventories, up five of the last six months, increased $1.8 billion or 0.2% to $860.1 billion. This followed a 0.1% April increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.47, up from 1.46 in April.