Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell Again in May

Washington, DC, July 2, 2015—New orders for manufactured goods in May, down nine of the last ten months, decreased $4.5 billion or 1.0% to $470.5 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This followed a 0.7% April decrease.

Shipments, down two consecutive months, decreased 0.3 billion or 0.1% to $482.1 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged April decrease.

Unfilled orders, down five of the last six months, decreased $6.4 billion or 0.5% to $1,194.6 billion. This followed a 0.2% April decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.98, unchanged from April.

Inventories, up three of the last four months, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $649.7 billion. This followed a 0.2% April increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, unchanged from April.