New orders for manufactured goods in April, down eight of the last nine months, decreased $1.8 billion or 0.4 percent to $476.7 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This followed a 2.2 percent March increase.
Shipments, following two consecutive monthly increases, were virtually unchanged at $482.4 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent March increase.
Unfilled orders, down four of the last five months, decreased $1.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,202.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.98, down from 6.99 in March.
Inventories, up two of the last three months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $649.0 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent March decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.35, up from 1.34 in March.
New orders for manufactured durable goods in April, down two of the last three months, decreased $2.3 billion or 1 percent to $234.4 billion, up from the previously published 0.5 percent decrease. This followed a 5.1 percent March increase.
Transportation equipment, also down two of the last three months, led the decrease, $1.9 billion or 2.4 percent to $77.9 billion.
New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $0.5 billion or 0.2 percent to $242.3 billion.
By stage of fabrication, April materials and supplies were virtually unchanged in durable goods and increased 0.1 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.2 percent in durable goods and increased 0.7 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.5 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.6 percent in nondurable goods.
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