The following is the unedited transcript of the news release from the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce.


Summary

New orders for manufactured goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $11.9 billion or 3.1 percent to $400.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.4 percent February increase. Shipments, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $5.9 billion or 1.5 percent to $392.9 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent February decrease. Unfilled orders, up twenty-two of the last twenty-three months, increased $12.9 billion or 1.8 percent to $717.3 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 1.1 percent February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 4.92, up from 4.88 in February. Inventories, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $1.0 billion or 0.2 percent to $484.0 billion. This followed a slight February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.23, down from 1.25 in February.

New Orders

New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $7.6 billion or 3.7 percent to $215.2 billion, revised from the previously published 3.4 percent increase. This followed a 2.3 percent February increase. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $4.2 billion or 2.3 percent to $185.0 billion.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.7 billion or 0.8 percent to $207.8 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 1.4 percent February decrease.

Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up four of the last five months, increased $4.2 billion or 2.3 percent to $185.0 billion. This was led by petroleum and coal products, which increased $3.6 billion or 11.0 percent to $36.0 billion.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up twenty-two of the last twenty-three months, increased $12.9 billion or 1.8 percent to $717.3 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This was at the highest level since the series began and followed a 1.1 percent February increase.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up thirteen consecutive months, increased $0.6 billion or 0.2 percent to $298.5 billion, revised from the previously published 0.3 percent increase. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase.

Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.3 billion or 0.2 percent to $185.5 billion. This was due to petroleum and coal products, which increased $0.6 billion or 2.0 percent to $28.0 billion.

By stage of fabrication, March materials and supplies decreased 0.1 percent in durable goods and increased 0.1 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.1 percent in durable goods and 0.3 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.6 percent in durable goods and 0.2 percent in nondurable goods.


Available at:

http://www.census.gov/indicator/www/m3/index.htm