Research >> Economics
New orders for manufactured goods increased 0.2%
New orders for manufactured goods in December, up five of the last six months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.2 percent to $426.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.3 percent November increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.7 percent.
Shipments, up four consecutive months, increased $8.4 billion or 2.0 percent to $436.0 billion. This followed a 1.6 percent November increase.
Unfilled orders, down following eight consecutive monthly increases, decreased $3.5 billion or 0.4 percent to $822.8 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent November increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.58, down from 5.72 in November.
Inventories, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $5.8 billion or 1.1 percent to $550.4 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.26, down from 1.27 in November.
Posted: February 3, 2011 Thursday 10:00 AM