Orders for Manufactured Goods Fell 0.8% in May

Washington, DC, July 5, 2017-New orders for manufactured goods in May, down two consecutive months, decreased $3.7 billion or 0.8% to $464.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 0.3% April decrease. Shipments, up five of the last six months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.1% to $471.5 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged April increase.

Unfilled orders, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.3 billion or 0.2% to $1,120.2 billion. This followed a 0.2% April increase.

The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.75, down from 6.83 in April. Inventories, down following six consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.3 billion or 0.1% to $648.9 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged April increase.

The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.38, unchanged from April.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in May, down two consecutive months, decreased $1.9 billion or 0.8% to $229.1 billion, up from the previously published 1.1% decrease. This followed a 0.8% April decrease. Transportation equipment, also down two consecutive months, drove the decrease, $2.4 billion or 3.0% to $75.9 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods decreased $1.8 billion or 0.8% to $235.7 billion.