New orders for manufactured goods in March, up two consecutive months, increased $9.1 billion or 1.6 percent to $584.5 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.2 percent February increase. Shipments, also up two consecutive months, increased $1.5 billion or 0.3 percent to $583.3 billion. This followed a 1.4 percent February increase. Unfilled orders, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $6.1 billion or 0.4 percent to $1,397.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.19, up from 7.10 in February. Inventories, up two consecutive months, increased $0.4 billion or virtually unchanged to $857.7 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.47, unchanged from February.