Orders for Manufactured Goods Up 2.6% in January

Washington, DC, March 4, 2021-New orders for manufactured goods in January, up nine consecutive months, increased $13.1 billion or 2.6% to $509.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.6% December increase. Shipments, also up nine consecutive months, increased $9.6 billion or 1.9% to $513.3 billion. This followed a 2.1% December increase.

Unfilled orders, up following seven consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.2 billion or 0.1% to $1,072.8 billion. This followed a 0.2% December decrease.

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.10, down from 6.25 in December.

Inventories, up five of the last six months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.1% to $696.3 billion. This followed a 0.3% December increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.36, down from 1.38 in December.