According to the U.S. Census Bureau, new orders for manufactured goods in April, up three consecutive months, increased $3.4 billion or 0.7%
to $499.8 billion. This was at the highest level since the series
was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 1.5% March increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.5%.

Shipments, also up three consecutive months, increased $1.7 billion or 0.3% to $497.6 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis and followed a 0.4% March increase.

Unfilled orders, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $9.8 billion or 0.9% to $1,080.6 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis and followed a 0.8
percent March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.48, up from 6.42 in March.

Inventories, up seventeen of the last eighteen months, increased $2.4 billion or 0.4% to $645.8 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis and followed a 0.2% March increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.30, unchanged from March.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in April, up three consecutive months, increased $1.5 billion or 0.6% to $239.9 billion, revised from the previously published 0.8% increase. This followed a 3.7% March increase.

Transportation equipment, also up three consecutive months, led the increase, up $1.1 billion or 1.4% to $76.4 billion.
New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $1.9 billion or 0.7% to $259.9 billion.

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.2 billion or 0.1% to $237.8 billion, revised from the previously published 0.2% decrease. This followed a 1.4% March increase.

Transportation equipment, down following three consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, down $0.6 billion or 0.8% to $69.6 billion.

To view the Census Bureau report, click here.