Orders for Manufactured Goods Decreased in February

Washington, DC, April 2, 2020-New orders for manufactured goods in February, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $497.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. 

This followed a 0.5% January decrease. 

Shipments, down two consecutive months, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.2% to $500.3 billion. This followed a 0.6% January decrease. 

Unfilled orders, up four of the last five months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.1% to $1,158.6 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.61, down from 6.62 in January.

Inventories, down two consecutive months, decreased $2.6 billion or 0.4% to $699.4 billion. This followed a 0.3% January decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.40, unchanged from January.