New orders for manufactured goods in November, up three of the last four months, increased $16.2 billion or 2.7 percent to $621.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.2 percent October decrease. Shipments, down three of the last four months, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.1 percent to $606.3 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent October increase. Unfilled orders, up sixteen of the last seventeen months, increased $20.2 billion or 1.4 percent to $1,513.5 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent October increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.04, up from 6.93 in October. Inventories, up two consecutive months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.1 percent to $948.4 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged October increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.56, unchanged from October.