Research >> Economics
New orders for manufactured goods increased 1.0% in February
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New orders for manufactured goods in February, up seven of the last eight months, increased $4.8 billion or 1.0 percent to $476.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.5 percent January increase. Shipments, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.3 percent to $480.0 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January increase. Unfilled orders, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,115.3 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.53, down from 6.57 in January. Inventories, up seven of the last eight months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.2 percent to $630.0 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent January increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.31, unchanged from January.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up two consecutive months, increased $4.2 billion or 1.8 percent to $236.0 billion, up from the previously published 1.7 percent increase. This followed a 2.4 percent January increase. Transportation equipment, also up two consecutive months, led the increase, $3.4 billion or 4.4 percent to $80.5 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $0.6 billion or 0.2 percent to $240.5 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in February, up three of the last four months, increased $0.8 billion or 0.3 percent to $239.4 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a virtually unchanged January decrease. Machinery, also up three of the last four months, led the increase, $0.3 billion or 1.1 percent to $31.2 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.2 percent to $240.5 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent January increase. Chemical Products, up three of the last four months, drove the increase, $0.7 billion or 1.1 percent to $68.7 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in February, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,115.3 billion, up from the previously published virtually unchanged decrease. This followed a 0.3 percent January decrease. Computers and electronic products, up twenty-six consecutive months, drove the increase, $0.5 billion or 0.4 percent to $132.2 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in February, up three of the last four months, increased $0.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $385.2 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.1 percent January increase. Primary metals, up four consecutive months, led the increase, $0.2 billion or 0.7 percent to $32.0 billion. Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up six of the last seven months, increased $0.3 billion or 0.1 percent to $244.8 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent January increase. Petroleum and coal products, also up six of the last seven months, drove the increase, $0.5 billion or 1.6 percent to $30.9 billion. By stage of fabrication, February materials and supplies decreased 0.1 percent in durable goods and increased 0.5 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.6 percent in durable goods and 0.1 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.1 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.1 percent in nondurable goods.
Posted: April 4, 2017 Tuesday 10:00 AM