New Orders for Manufactured Goods Down in August

Washington, DC, October 2, 2015—New orders for manufactured goods in August, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $8.2 billion or 1.7% to $473.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.2% July increase.

Shipments, down four of the last five months, decreased $3.2 billion or 0.7% to $480.1 billion. This followed a 0.2% July decrease.

Unfilled orders, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.4 billion or 0.2% to $1,195.0 billion. This followed a 0.2% July increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.87, down from 6.89 in July.

Inventories, down two consecutive months, decreased $1.6 billion or 0.3% to $648.4 billion. This followed a 0.3% July decrease. The inventories- to-shipments ratio was 1.35, up from 1.34 in July.