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Factory orders post 2.5 percent gain in August

New orders for manufactured goods in August increased $9.7 billion or 2.5 percent to $395.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 2.5 percent decrease in July.

Shipments, up for the fourth consecutive month, increased $6.6 billion or 1.7 percent to $393.5 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.1 percent increase in July. Unfilled orders, up for the fourth consecutive month, increased $9.2 billion or 1.6 percent to $590.0 billion. This was at the highest level since the series began and followed a 1.0 percent July increase. Inventories, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $463.7 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent July increase.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in August, up four of the last five months, increased $6.9 billion or 3.4 percent to $210.6 billion, up from the previously published 3.3 percent increase. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $2.8 billion or 1.6 percent to $184.7 billion.