Research >> Economics
New orders for manufactured goods increased 1.9% in March
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New orders for manufactured goods in March, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $9.3 billion or 1.9 percent to $508.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.3 percent February decrease. Shipments, up two consecutive months, increased $3.7 billion or 0.7 percent to $509.7 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent February increase. Unfilled orders, up two of the last three months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.2 percent to $1,181.2 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent February decrease. The unfilled orders‐to‐shipments ratio was 6.56, unchanged from February. Inventories, up twenty‐eight of the last twenty‐nine months, increased $2.8 billion or 0.4 percent to $690.9 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent February increase. The inventories‐to‐shipments ratio was 1.36, unchanged from February.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $6.6 billion or 2.6 percent to $258.0 billion, down from the previously published 2.7 percent increase. This followed a 1.3 percent February decrease. Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five months, led the increase, $6.1 billion or 7.0 percent to $93.8 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $2.8 billion or 1.1 percent to $250.2 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $259.5 billion, up from the previously published 0.3 percent increase. This followed a 0.2 percent February increase. Transportation equipment, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, drove the increase, $1.0 billion or 1.1 percent to $90.7 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up two consecutive months, increased $2.8 billion or 1.1 percent to $250.2 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent February increase. Petroleum and coal products, also up two consecutive months, drove the increase, $3.2 billion or 6.0 percent to $55.5 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up two of the last three months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.2 percent to $1,181.2 billion, down from the previously published 0.3 percent increase. This followed a 0.2 percent February decrease. Transportation equipment, also up two of the last three months, drove the increase, $3.1 billion or 0.4 percent to $811.9 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up twenty‐six of the last twenty‐seven months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.3 percent to $420.5 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.4 percent February increase. Machinery, up fifteen of the last sixteen months, led the increase, $0.7 billion or 1.0 percent to $71.7 billion. Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up three consecutive months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.6 percent to $270.4 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent February increase. Petroleum and coal products, also up three consecutive months, led the increase, $1.2 billion or 3.0 percent to $41.5 billion. By stage of fabrication, March materials and supplies decreased 0.1 percent in both durable goods and nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.5 percent in durable goods and increased 1.1 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.5 percent in durable goods and increased 0.9 percent in nondurable goods.
Posted: May 2, 2019 Thursday 10:00 AM