Research >> Economics
New orders for manufactured goods increased 1.7% in December
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New orders for manufactured goods in December, up six of the last seven months, increased $8.5 billion or 1.7 percent to $498.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.7 percent November increase. Shipments, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $2.9 billion or 0.6 percent to $495.4 billion. This followed a 1.4 percent November increase. Unfilled orders, up four consecutive months, increased $7.1 billion or 0.6 percent to $1,144.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent November increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.59, up from 6.58 in November. Inventories, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, increased $3.3 billion or 0.5 percent to $669.2 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from November.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in December, up four of the last five months, increased $6.8 billion or 2.8 percent to $249.3 billion, down from the previously published 2.9 percent increase. This followed a 1.7 percent November increase. Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, led the increase, $5.7 billion or 7.1 percent to $86.9 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $1.7 billion or 0.7 percent to $248.9 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in December, up seven of the last eight months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.5 percent to $246.5 billion, down from the previously published 0.6 percent increase. This followed a 1.3 percent November increase. Primary metals, up five of the last six months, led the increase, $0.5 billion or 2.5 percent to $20.7 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up eight of the last nine months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.7 percent to $248.9 billion. This followed a 1.6 percent November increase. Petroleum and coal products, up six consecutive months, led the increase, $0.7 billion or 1.4 percent to $50.2 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in December, up four consecutive months, increased $7.1 billion or 0.6 percent to $1,144.4 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.1 percent November increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, led the increase, $6.0 billion or 0.8 percent to $775.9 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in December, up seventeen of the last eighteen months,increased $1.4 billion or 0.3 percent to $406.8 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.3 percent November increase. Machinery, up ten of the last eleven months, led the increase, $0.4 billion or 0.5 percent to $70.4 billion. Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up seven consecutive months, increased $1.9 billion or 0.7 percent to $262.4 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent November increase. Petroleum and coal products, up six consecutive months, led the increase, $0.9 billion or 2.1 percent to $41.4 billion. By stage of fabrication, December materials and supplies decreased 0.1 percent in durable goods and were virtually unchanged in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.4 percent in durable goods and increased 2.1 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.8 percent in durable goods and increased 0.7 percent in nondurable goods.
Posted: February 2, 2018 Friday 10:00 AM