HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ADVANCE REPORT ON MANUFACTURERS' SHIPMENTS, INVENTORIES, AND ORDERS

July 2008--------------- Released 8:30 A.M. EDT August 27, 2008
(M3-1(08)-07)
Note: All figures in text are in seasonally adjusted current dollars
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(301) 763-4832

New Orders

New orders for manufactured durable goods in July increased $2.9 billion or 1.3 percent to $219.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This was the third consecutive monthly increase and followed a 1.3 percent June increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.7 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 2.8 percent.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in July, up three of the last four months, increased $5.3 billion or 2.5 percent to $218.3 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent June increase.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in July, up twenty-nine of the last thirty months, increased $6.6 billion or 0.8 percent to $824.4 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.9 percent June increase.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in July, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $2.7 billion or 0.8 percent to $335.8 billion. This was also at the highest level since the series was first stated on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.8 percent June increase.

Capital Goods Industries

Nondefense

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in July increased $4.5 billion or 6.3 percent to $76.3 billion.

Defense

Defense new orders for capital goods in July decreased $2.9 billion or 25.7 percent to $8.4 billion.

Released August 27, 2008. This report presents advance information on two key business indicators: durable goods manufacturers' shipments and orders. Revised and more detailed estimates plus nondurable goods will be published September 3, 2008. The advance report on durable goods for August is scheduled for release September 25, 2008.

Our internet address is: http://www.census.gov/m3