New orders for manufactured goods in July, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $5.8 billion or 0.9 percent to $663.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.2 percent June decrease. Shipments, up nine of the last ten months, increased $5.3 billion or 0.8 percent to $658.8 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged June increase. Unfilled orders, up twenty-four of the last twenty-five months, increased $9.9 billion or 0.6 percent to $1,600.3 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent June increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.81, down from 6.84 in June. Inventories, up ten consecutive months, increased $3.5 billion or 0.4 percent to $966.9 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent June increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.47, unchanged from June.