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FACTORY ORDERS SHOW SLUGGISH ECONOMY

This morning’s factory order data confirms what we have seen in the recent ISM reports – slowing economic activity in leading indicators.  New orders have now fallen in 3 of the last 4 months (via the U.S. Census):

“New orders for manufactured goods in August, down three of the last four months, decreased $2.2 billion or 0.5 percent to $408.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.  This followed a 0.5 percent July increase.  Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.9 percent.  Shipments, also down three of the last four months, decreased $2.5 billion or 0.6 percent to $415.1 billion.  This followed a 1.2 percent July increase.  Unfilled orders, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.1 billion to $804.0 billion.  This followed a slight July increase.  The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.59, up from 5.53 in July.  Inventories, up seven of the last eight months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.1 percent to $526.4 billion.  This followed a 0.9 percent July increase.  The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.27, up from 1.26 in July.

New orders for manufactured durable goods in August, down three of the last four months, decreased $2.8 billion or 1.5 percent to $191.9 billion, revised from the previously published 1.3 percent decrease.  This followed a 1.2 percent July increase.  Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, had the largest decrease, $5.3 billion or 10.2 percent to $46.6 billion.  New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $0.7 billion or 0.3 percent to $217.1 billion.”