New orders for manufactured goods in August, up following two consecutive monthly decreases, increased $8.4 billion or 1.4 percent to $612.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.3 percent July decrease. Shipments, down following three consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.8 billion or 0.1 percent to $607.7 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent July increase. Unfilled orders, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, increased $9.4 billion or 0.6 percent to $1,478.7 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged July increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.93, up from 6.86 in July. Inventories, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $0.2 billion or virtually unchanged to $948.4 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent July increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.56, unchanged from July.