Factory orders +8% in May

New orders for manufactured goods in May, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $30.5 billion or 8.0 percent to $412.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 13.5 percent April decrease. Shipments, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, increased $12.5 billion or 3.1 percent to $417.0 billion. This followed a 14.0 percent April decrease. Unfilled orders, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.7 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,108.5 billion. This followed a 1.5 percent April decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.53, down from 7.70 in April. Inventories, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, increased $1.1 billion or 0.2 percent to $687.0 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent April decrease. The inventories-to -shipments ratio was 1.65, down from 1.70 in April.