U.S. Census Bureau data released Oct. 3 showed that new orders of manufactured goods — down three of the past four months — decreased 0.2% month-to-month during August to $590.4 billion, following an increase of 4.9% in July.

Electrical equipment, appliances and components drove the increase, while orders decreased 0.1% when excluding transportation and fell 0.4% when excluding defense.

The Bureau’s latest report noted that August durable goods orders remained unchanged month-to-month from its advance report on Sept. 26, following a 9.8% jump in July.

Shipments — down following two consecutive monthly increases — decreased 0.6% in August, down from the previously published 0.5% decrease. This followed a 1.0% July increase.

Unfilled orders — up 48 of the last 49 months — increased 0.4% in August, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.2% increase in July.

July’s unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.87, up from July’s 6.76.

Inventories — up four of the last five months — increase 0.1%, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a July unchanged increase.