New orders for manufactured goods in February, up 10 of the last 11 months, increased $2.1 billion (0.6 percent) to $383.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported on March 31. This followed a 2.5 percent January increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.7 percent.
Shipments, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $500 million (0.1 percent) to $384.9 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent January increase.
Unfilled orders, up two consecutive months, increased $3.3 billion (0.5 percent) to $722.2 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.55, up from 5.51 in January.
Inventories, up four of the last five months, increased $2.5 billion (0.5 percent) to $498.3 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.29, unchanged from January.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up three consecutive months, increased $1.6 billion (0.9 percent) to $178.5 billion, revised from the previously published 0.5 percent increase. This followed a 3.8 percent) January increase.
Machinery, up three of the last four months, had the largest increase, $1.1 billion (5.1 percent) to $23.1 billion.
New orders for manufactured non-durable goods increased $600 million (0.3 percent) to $205.1 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, down two consecutive months, decreased $1.0 billion (0.6 percent) to $179.8 billion, unchanged from the previously published decrease. This followed a 0.1 percent) January decrease.
Transportation equipment, also down two consecutive months, had the largest decrease, $1.6 billion (3.5 percent) to $43.8 billion.
Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up 10 of the last 11 months, increased $600 million (0.3 percent) to $205.1 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent January increase. Chemical products drove the increase, up $800 million (1.5 percent) to $54.0 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up two consecutive months, increased $3.3 billion (0.5 percent) to $722.2 billion, revised from the previously published 0.4 percent increase. This followed a 0.2 percent January increase.
Transportation equipment, up two consecutive months, had the largest increase, $2.2 billion (0.5 percent) to $413.3 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, up two consecutive months, increased $1.1 billion (0.4 percent) to $304.0 billion, revised from the previously published 0.3 percent increase. This followed a 0.1 percent January increase.
Primary metals, up four consecutive months, had the largest increase, $400 million (1.6 percent) to $26.5 billion.
Inventories of manufactured non-durable goods, up four of the last five months, increased $1.4 billion (0.7 percent) to $194.3 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent January increase. Petroleum and coal products led the increase, up $1.3 billion (4.0 percent) to $33.5 billion.
By stage of fabrication, February materials and supplies decreased 0.2 percent in durable goods and increased 2.0 percent in non-durable goods. Work in process increased 1.1 percent in durable goods and 0.2 percent in non-durable goods. Finished goods decreased slightly in durable goods and 0.1 percent) in non-durable goods.