New orders for manufactured goods in April, down three of the last four months, decreased $57.5 billion or 13.0 percent to $384.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed an 11.0 percent March decrease. Shipments, down four consecutive months, decreased $63.6 billion or 13.5 percent to $406.8 billion. This followed a 5.5 percent March decrease. Unfilled orders, down two consecutive months, decreased $17.6 billion or 1.6 percent to $1,107.6 billion. This followed a 2.1 percent March decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.62, up from 6.70 in March. Inventories, down four consecutive months, decreased $2.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $686.5 billion. This followed a 1.1 percent March decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.69, up from 1.46 in March.
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