Research >> Economics
New orders for manufactured goods decreased 0.1% in October
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New orders for manufactured goods in October, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.3 billion or 0.1 percent to $479.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.7 percent September increase. Shipments, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.6 percent to $484.2 billion. This followed a 1.1 percent September increase. Unfilled orders, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.2 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,135.1 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent September increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.68, unchanged from September. Inventories, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.2 percent to $661.6 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent September increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.37, unchanged from September.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in October, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $1.9 billion or 0.8 percent to $237.4 billion, up from the previously published 1.2 percent decrease. This followed a 2.4 percent September increase. Transportation equipment, also down following two consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, $3.4 billion or 4.2 percent to $77.4 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $1.6 billion or 0.7 percent to $242.2 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October, up five of the last six months, increased $1.1 billion or 0.4 percent to $242.0 billion, up from the previously published 0.1 percent increase. This followed a 1.2 percent September increase. Primary metals, up three of the last four months, led the increase, $0.3 billion or 1.6 percent to $19.9 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up six of the last seven months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.7 percent to $242.2 billion. This followed a 1.0 percent September increase. Petroleum and coal products, up four consecutive months, led the increase, $1.2 billion or 2.6 percent to $46.2 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in October, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.2 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,135.1 billion, unchanged from the previously published decrease. This followed a 0.3 percent September increase. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, drove the decrease, $1.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $770.0 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in October, up fifteen of the last sixteen months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.2 percent to $404.2 billion, up from the previously published 0.1 percent increase. This followed a 0.6 percent September increase. Primary metals, also up fifteen of the last sixteen months, led the increase, $0.3 billion or 0.8 percent to $34.0 billion. Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up five consecutive months, increased $0.5 billion or 0.2 percent to $257.3 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent September increase. Chemical products, up three of the last four months, drove the increase, $0.9 billion or 1.0 percent to $84.1 billion. By stage of fabrication, October materials and supplies decreased 0.4 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.3 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 1.0 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.3 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods decreased 0.4 percent in durable goods and increased 0.9 percent in nondurable goods.
Posted: December 4, 2017 Monday 10:00 AM