U.S. factory orders fell slightly less than the forecast in February, declining $2.6 billion or 0.5% to $497.5 billion. The U.S. Census Bureau reported new orders for manufactured goods are down four of the last five months.
The consensus forecast was -0.6%, with forecasts ranging from a low of -1.6% to a high of 0.2%.
Release Date: 4/8/2019 10:00:00 AM For February, 2019
| Prior | Consensus Forecast | Forecast Range | Actual | |
| Factory Orders – M/M | 0.1% | -0.6% | -1.6% to 0.2% |
Shipments, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, increased $2.0 billion or 0.4% to $505.5 billion. This followed a 0.3% January decrease. Unfilled orders, down four of the last five months, fell $3.6 billion or 0.3% to $1,177.6 billion. This followed a 0.1% January increase.
The unfilled orders‐to‐shipments ratio was 6.54, down from 6.57 in January. Inventories, up twenty‐seven of the last twenty‐eight months, increased $2.0 billion or 0.3% to $687.8 billion. This followed a 0.5% gain in January.
The inventories‐to‐shipments ratio was 1.36, unchanged from January.
