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

August 2008--------------- Released 8:30 A.M. EDT September 25, 2008
(M3-1(08)-08)
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 August decreased $9.9 billion or 4.5 percent to $208.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This was the largest percent decrease in new orders since January 2008 and followed three consecutive monthly increases including a 0.8 percent July increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 3.0 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 5.0 percent.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $7.7 billion or 3.5 percent to $210.1 billion. This was the largest percent decrease in shipments since December 2002 and followed a 2.3 percent July increase.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in August, up thirty of the last thirty-one months, increased $3.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $827.2 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.8 percent July increase.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in August, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, increased $2.4 billion or 0.7 percent to $338.5 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.9 percent July increase.

Capital Goods Industries

Nondefense

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in August decreased $5.6 billion or 7.5 percent to $68.9 billion.

Defense

Defense new orders for capital goods in August increased $0.9 billion or 9.4 percent to $9.9 billion.

Released September 25, 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 October 2, 2008. The advance report on durable goods for September is scheduled for release October 29, 2008.

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