New orders for manufactured goods in October, down following two consecutive monthly increases, decreased $8.1 billion or 1.3 percent to $604.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.2 percent September increase. Shipments, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $607.0 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent September decrease. Unfilled orders, up fifteen of the last sixteen months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.2 percent to $1,492.8 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent September increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.92, down from 6.98 in September. Inventories, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $0.4 billion or virtually unchanged to $947.0 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent September decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.56, unchanged from September.