Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 0.2% in December

Washington, DC, February 2, 2024-New orders for manufactured goods in December, up four of the last five months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.2% to $594.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. This followed a 2.6% November increase.

Shipments, up two consecutive months, increased $0.3 billion or virtually unchanged to $581.0 billion. This followed a 0.5% November increase.

Unfilled orders, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $18.2 billion or 1.3% to $1,393.2 billion. This followed a 1.3% November increase.

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.08, up from 6.96 in November.

Inventories, up six consecutive months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.1% to $857.7 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.48, unchanged from November.