Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 1.1% in March

Washington, DC, May 4, 2021-New orders for manufactured goods in March, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $5.8 billion or 1.1 percent to $512.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. This followed a 0.5% February decrease.

Shipments, also up ten of the last eleven months, increased $10.8 billion or 2.1% to $513.6 billion. This followed a 1.9% February decrease.

Unfilled orders, up three consecutive months, increased $4.5 billion or 0.4% to $1,087.8 billion. This followed a 0.9% February increase.

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.21, down from 6.30 in February. Inventories, up seven of the last eight months, increased $5.2 billion or 0.7% to $707.7 billion. This followed a 0.8% February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.38, down from 1.40 in February.