[Marxism] Latest on Manufacturing

[S. Artesian]

Summary
New orders for manufactured goods in March, down
seven of the last eight months, decreased $3.2 billion or
0.9 percent to $345.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau
reported today. This followed a 0.7 percent February
increase. Excluding transportation, new orders also
decreased 0.9 percent.
Shipments, down eight consecutive months, decreased
$4.5 billion or 1.2 percent to $360.0 billion. This was
the longest streak of consecutive monthly decreases
since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in
1992 and followed a 0.5 percent February decrease.
Unfilled orders, down six consecutive months,
decreased $11.9 billion or 1.5 percent to $759.0 billion.
This was the longest streak of consecutive monthly
decreases since November 2001-July 2002. This
followed a 1.7 percent February decrease. The unfilled
orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.96, down from 5.98 in
February.
Inventories, down seven consecutive months,
decreased $4.1 billion or 0.8 percent to $524.8 billion.
This also was the longest streak of consecutive monthly
decreases since March 2003-January 2004 and followed
a 1.3 percent February decrease. The inventories-toshipments
ratio was 1.46, up from 1.45 in February.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in March,
down seven of the last eight months, decreased $1.3
billion or 0.8 percent to $160.5 billion, unchanged from
the previously published decrease. This followed a 1.6
percent February increase.
Machinery, down five of the last six months, had the
largest decrease, $0.8 billion or 3.4 percent to $21.6
billion.
New orders for manufactured nondurable goods
decreased $1.8 billion or 1.0 percent to $184.8 billion

full at:  http://www.census.gov/indicator/www/m3/prel/pdf/s-i-o.pdf