New orders for manufactured goods in April, up three consecutive months, increased $4.3 billion or 0.7 percent to $588.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.7 percent March increase. Shipments, also up three consecutive months, increased $5.9 billion or 1.0 percent to $590.2 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent March increase. Unfilled orders, up forty-five consecutive months, increased $2.8 billion or 0.2 percent to $1,400.6 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 7.10, down from 7.20 in March. Inventories, up four of the last five months, increased $0.9 billion or 0.1 percent to $858.3 billion. This followed a virtually unchanged March increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.45, down from 1.47 in March.