Manufactured goods orders down in May
New orders for manufactured goods decreased 1.0 percent in May to $455.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.
This followed a 1.8 percent April increase.
Shipments, up three consecutive months, increased $0.2 billion or virtually unchanged to $456.5 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent April increase.
Unfilled orders, up four of the last five months, increased 0.2 percent to $1,138.9 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent April increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.90, down from 6.94 in April.
Inventories, down 12 of the last 13 months, decreased 0.1 percent to $619.7 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent April decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.36, unchanged from April.