New orders for manufactured goods in August increased $9.7 billion or 2.5 percent to $395.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

This followed a 2.5 percent decrease in July. Shipments, up for the fourth consecutive month, increased $6.6 billion or 1.7 percent to $393.5 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first started on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.1 percent increase in July.
Unfilled orders, up for the fourth consecutive month, increased $9.2 billion or 1.6 percent to $590.0 billion. This was at the highest level since the series began and followed a 1.0 percent July increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 4.15, down from 4.18 in July. Inventories, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $463.7 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent July increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.18, down from 1.20 in July.
New orders for manufactured durable goods in August, up four of the last five months, increased $6.9 billion or 3.4 percent to $210.6 billion, up from the previously published 3.3 percent increase. This followed a 5.4 percent July decrease.
Computers and electronic products, up three of the last four months had the largest increase, $1.6 billion or 5.5 percent to $31.6 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $2.8 billion or 1.6 percent to $184.7 billion. Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, up three of the last four months, increased $3.8 billion or 1.8 percent to $208.8 billion, up from the previously published 1.7 percent increase. This followed a 0.7 percent July decrease and was at the highest level since the series began.
Transportation equipment, up five of the last six months, had the largest increase, $1.8 billion or 3.1 percent to $58.7 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods increased $2.8 billion or 1.6 percent to $184.7 billion and were at the highest level since the series began. This was led by petroleum and coal products, which increased $1.6 billion or 4.6 percent to $35.7 billion and was also at the highest level since the series began.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in August, up for the fourth consecutive month, increased $9.2 billion or 1.6 percent to $590.0 billion, down from the previously published 1.7 percent increase. This was at the highest level since the series began and followed a 1.0 percent July increase.
Transportation equipment, up for the fourth consecutive month, had the largest increase, $3.9 billion or 1.3 percent to $294.0 billion. This was at the highest level since the series began.