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

May 2009--------------- Released 8:30 A.M. EDT June 24, 2009
(M3-1(09)-05)
Note: All figures in text are in seasonally adjusted current dollars
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New Orders

New orders for manufactured durable goods in May increased $2.8 billion or 1.8 percent to $163.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This was the third increase in the last four months and followed a 1.8 percent April increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.1 percent. Excluding defense, new orders also increased 1.4 percent.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in May, down ten consecutive months, decreased $3.6 billion or 2.1 percent to $169.9 billion. This was the longest streak of consecutive monthly decreases since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.5 percent April decrease.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in May, down eight consecutive months, decreased $2.0 billion or 0.3 percent to $747.5 billion. This followed a 1.1 percent April decrease.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in May, down five consecutive months, decreased $2.5 billion or 0.8 percent to $323.3 billion. This followed a 1.1 percent April decrease.

Capital Goods Industries

Nondefense

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in May increased $4.9 billion or 10.0 percent to $53.8 billion.

Defense

Defense new orders for capital goods in May increased $0.8 billion or 7.4 percent to $12.0 billion.

Released June 24, 2009. 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 July 2, 2009. The advance report on durable goods for June is scheduled for release July 29, 2009.

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