HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ADVANCE REPORT ON MANUFACTURERS' SHIPMENTS, INVENTORIES, AND ORDERS

September 2008--------------- Released 8:30 A.M. EDT October 29, 2008
(M3-1(08)-09)
Note: All figures in text are in seasonally adjusted current dollars
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(301) 763-4832

New Orders

New orders for manufactured durable goods in September increased $1.6 billion or 0.8 percent to $207.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This was the fourth increase in the last five months and followed a 5.5 percent August decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 0.6 percent.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in September, up three of the last four months, increased $0.4 billion or 0.2 percent to $208.8 billion. This followed a 4.2 percent August decrease.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in September, up thirty-one of the last thirty-two months, increased $3.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $829.6 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.3 percent August increase.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in September, up fourteen of the last fifteen months, increased $1.2 billion or 0.4 percent to $340.2 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.8 percent August increase.

Capital Goods Industries

Nondefense

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in September increased $0.6 billion or 0.8 percent to $69.3 billion.

Defense

Defense new orders for capital goods in September increased $1.9 billion or 19.6 percent to $11.8 billion.

Released October 29, 2008. This report presents advance information on two key business indicators: durable goods manufacturers' shipments and orders. Revised and more detailed estimates plus nondurable goods will be published November 4, 2008. The advance report on durable goods for October is scheduled for release November 26, 2008.

Our internet address is: http://www.census.gov/m3