New orders for manufactured goods in September, up three consecutive months, increased $12.2 billion or 1.8 percent to $677.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.3 percent August increase. Shipments, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $8.8 billion or 1.3 percent to $668.5 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent August increase. Unfilled orders, up twenty-six of the last twenty-seven months, increased $13.8 billion or 0.9 percent to $1,623.8 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent August increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.84, down from 6.86 in August. Inventories, up twelve consecutive months, increased $3.7 billion or 0.4 percent to $976.0 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent August increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.46, down from 1.47 in August.