New orders for manufactured goods in December, down four of the last five months, decreased $5.2 billion or 0.9 percent to $578.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.8 percent November decrease. Shipments, up two consecutive months, increased $3.7 billion or 0.6 percent to $589.7 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent November increase. Unfilled orders, down following five consecutive monthly increases, decreased $6.4 billion or 0.5 percent to $1,396.3 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent November increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.93, down from 7.06 in November. Inventories, up two consecutive months, increased $3.3 billion or 0.4 percent to $863.2 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent November increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.46, down from 1.47 in November.