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New orders for manufactured goods increased 0.6%
New orders for manufactured goods in February, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $2.1 billion or 0.6 percent to $383.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 2.5 percent January increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.7 percent.
Shipments, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $384.9 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent January increase.
Unfilled orders, up two consecutive months, increased $3.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $722.2 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.55, up from 5.51 in January.
Inventories, up four of the last five months, increased $2.5 billion or 0.5 percent to $498.3 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.29, unchanged from January.
Posted: March 31, 2010 Wednesday 10:00 AM