Manufacturing Orders Up Slightly in November

New orders for manufactured goods in November were up 0.9 percent from October, according to the U.S. Commerce Dept. This followed a 4.5 percent decrease in October.

New orders for manufactured durable goods were up 1.6 percent compared to an 8.1 percent decrease the previous month. New orders for manufactured goods have increased two of the last three months. New orders for manufactured durable goods have increased three of the last four months.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods have increased three of the last four months, including a 0.2 percent gain in November. Shipments of heavy-duty trucks were up 3.2 percent from the previous month and 11.4 percent year-to-date.
Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods rose slightly in November after three consecutive months of decreases. Analysts said the November improvement was due to increased shipments of petroleum and coal products.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods rose 1.7 percent in November and have registered gains in 18 of the last 19 months. Inventories of manufactured durable goods, up 10 of the last 11 months, edged up 0.3 percent in November. Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods were up 0.2 percent, following decreases in September and October.