Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 2.1% in October

Washington, DC, December 6, 2018-New orders for manufactured goods in October, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $10.5 billion or 2.1% to $502.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 0.2% September increase.

Shipments, down following fifteen consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1% to $508.4 billion. This followed a 0.7% September increase.

Unfilled orders, down following eight consecutive monthly increases, decreased $1.7 billion or 0.1% to $1,183.6 billion. This followed a 0.7% September increase. The unfilled orders‐to‐ shipments ratio was 6.70, up from 6.65 in September.

Inventories, up twenty‐four consecutive months, increased $0.9 billion or 0.1% to $681.7 billion. This followed a 0.6% September increase. The inventories‐to‐shipments ratio was 1.34, unchanged from September.