Factory orders rose 1.1 percent in November 2009

New orders for manufactured goods in November, up seven of the last eight months, increased $3.9 billion or 1.1 percent to $365.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.8 percent October increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased1.9 percent.

Shipments, up five of the last six months, increased $3.9 billion or 1.0 percent to $374.2 billion. This followed a 1.5 percent October increase. Machinery shipments, up two of the last three months, had the largest increase, $0.4 billion or 2.0 percent to $22.6 billion.

Unfilled orders, down fourteen consecutive months, decreased $4.8 billion or 0.7 percent to $724.5 billion. This was the longest streak of consecutive monthly decreases since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992. This followed a 0.6 percent October decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.69, down from 5.75 in October.

Inventories, up two consecutive months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.2 percent to $495.1 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent October increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.32, down from 1.34 in October.

By stage of fabrication, November materials and supplies decreased 0.9 percent in durable goods and increased 2.0 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.2 percent in durable goods and 1.1 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods decreased 0.4 percent in durable goods and 0.1 percent in nondurable goods.

The full report can be found here.