Orders for Manufactured Goods Rose 1.5% in March

Washington, DC, May 4, 2026-New orders for manufactured goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $9.1 billion or 1.5% to $630.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. This followed a 0.3% February increase. 

Shipments, up five of the last six months, increased $8.8 billion or 1.4% to $633.9 billion. This followed a 1.7% February increase. 

Unfilled orders, up twenty of the last twenty-one months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.1% to $1,540.9 billion. This followed a 0.1% February increase. 

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.88, down from 6.92 in February. Inventories, up six consecutive months, increased $5.8 billion or 0.6% to $956.3 billion. This followed a 0.1% February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.51, down from 1.52 in February.