Research >> Economics
Factory orders in August decreased 4%
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New orders for manufactured goods in August, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $18.6 billion or 4.0 percent to $444.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This was the largest percent decrease in new orders since October 2006 and followed a 0.7 percent July increase. Shipments, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $16.4 billion or 3.5 percent to $446.0 billion. This was the largest percent decrease in shipments since September 2006 and followed a 1.4 percent July increase.
Unfilled orders, up thirty of the last thirty-one months, increased $3.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $827.2 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.8 percent July increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.48, up from 5.25 in July.
Inventories, up eleven of the twelve months, increased $3.4 billion or 0.6 percent to $562.5 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first statedon a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.6 percent July increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was1.26, up from 1.21 in July.
Posted: October 2, 2008 Thursday 10:04 AM