Research >> Economics
New orders for manufactured goods unch% in February
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Summary
New orders for manufactured goods in February, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $497.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.5 percent January decrease. Shipments, down two consecutive months, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $500.3 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent January decrease. Unfilled orders, up four of the last five months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,158.6 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.61, down from 6.62 in January. Inventories, down two consecutive months, decreased $2.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $699.4 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.40, unchanged from January.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up four of the last five months, increased $3.0 billion or 1.2 percent to $249.5 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.1 percent January increase. Transportation equipment, up two of the last three months, drove the increase, $3.9 billion or 4.6 percent to $86.9 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods decreased $3.0 billion or 1.2 percent to $247.9 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, up following seven consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.2 billion or 0.9 percent to $252.4 billion, up from the previously published 0.8 percent increase. This followed a virtually unchanged January decrease. Transportation equipment, also up following seven consecutive monthly decreases, drove the increase, $2.4 billion or 2.9 percent to $84.9 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, down two consecutive months, decreased $3.0 billion or 1.2 percent to $247.9 billion. This followed a 1.1 percent January decrease. Petroleum and coal products, also down two consecutive months, led the decrease, $2.1 billion or 3.9 percent to $51.1 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up four of the last five months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,158.6 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a virtually unchanged January increase. Transportation equipment, up seven of the last eight months, drove the increase, $1.9 billion or 0.2 percent to $791.2 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, down two consecutive months, decreased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $434.5 billion, down from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.2 percent January decrease. Computers and electronic products, also down two consecutive months, drove the decrease, $0.3 billion or 0.8 percent to $43.3 billion. Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, down two consecutive months, decreased $2.5 billion or 0.9 percent to $264.9 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent January decrease. Petroleum and coal products, also down two consecutive months, led the decrease, $2.1 billion or 5.2 percent to $38.3 billion. By stage of fabrication, February materials and supplies increased 0.3 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.4 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.1 percent in durable goods and decreased 2.9 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods decreased 0.6 percent in durable goods and 0.5 percent in nondurable goods.
Posted: April 2, 2020 Thursday 10:00 AM