Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 10.3% in March

Washington, DC, May 4, 2020--New orders for manufactured goods in March, down four of the last five months, decreased $51.0 billion or 10.3% to $445.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 0.1% February decrease.

Shipments, down three consecutive months, decreased $26.2 billion or 5.2% to $473.6 billion. This followed a 0.3% February decrease.

Unfilled orders, down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $23.6 billion or 2.0% to $1,134.9 billion. This followed a 0.1% February increase.

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.57, down from 6.62 in February. Inventories, down three consecutive months, decreased $5.8 billion or 0.8% to $693.5 billion. This followed a 0.4% February decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.46, up from 1.40 in February.