New orders for manufactured goods in September, up six of the last seven months, increased $16.1 billion or 2.8 percent to $601.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.0 percent August increase. Shipments, up five consecutive months, increased $2.1 billion or 0.4 percent to $588.1 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent August increase. Unfilled orders, up nine of the last ten months, increased $18.4 billion or 1.4 percent to $1,353.6 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent August increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.88, up from 6.78 in August. Inventories, up three consecutive months, increased $2.0 billion or 0.2 percent to $857.3 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent August increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.46, unchanged from August.