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

March 2009--------------- Released 8:30 A.M. EDT April 24, 2009
(M3-1(09)-03)
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 March decreased $1.3 billion or 0.8 percent to $161.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This was the seventh decrease in the last eight months and followed a 2.1 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.6 percent. Excluding defense, new orders also decreased 0.6 percent.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, down eight consecutive months, decreased $3.0 billion or 1.7 percent to $175.0 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent February decrease.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, down six consecutive months, decreased $11.2 billion or 1.4 percent to $760.3 billion. This followed a 1.6 percent February decrease.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, down three consecutive months, decreased $3.7 billion or 1.1 percent to $331.6 billion. This followed a 1.3 percent February decrease.

Capital Goods Industries

Nondefense

Nondefense new orders for capital goods in March increased $1.0 billion or 1.9 percent to $52.0 billion.

Defense

Defense new orders for capital goods in March decreased $1.4 billion or 14.4 percent to $8.6 billion.

Released April 24, 2009. 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 May 1, 2009. The advance report on durable goods for April is scheduled for release May 28, 2009.

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