March 2021 Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and New & Unfilled Orders

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the value of manufactured-goods shipments in March increased $10.8 billion or 2.1 percent to $513.6 billion. Durable goods shipments increased $7.0 billion or 2.8 percent to $257.6 billion, led by transportation equipment. Meanwhile, nondurable goods shipments increased $3.8 billion or 1.5 percent to $256.0 billion, led by petroleum and coal products. Shipments of wood products rose by 4.5%; paper: +0.7%.

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Inventories increased $5.2 billion or 0.7 percent to $707.7 billion. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.38, down from 1.40 in February. Inventories of durable goods increased $4.3 billion or 1.0 percent to $431.9 billion, led by transportation equipment. Nondurable goods inventories increased $0.9 billion or 0.3 percent to $275.8 billion, led by petroleum and coal products. Inventories of wood products rose by 1.0%; paper: +0.1%.

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New orders increased $5.8 billion or 1.1 percent to $512.9 billion. Excluding transportation, new orders rose by $7.1 billion or 1.7% (+12.1% YoY). Durable goods orders increased $2.0 billion or 0.8 percent to $256.9 billion, led by fabricated metal products. New orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft -- a proxy for business investment spending -- increased by $0.9 billion or 1.2% (+13.7% YoY). New orders for nondurable goods increased $3.8 billion or 1.5 percent to $256.0 billion.

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Unfilled durable-goods orders increased $4.5 billion or 0.4 percent to $1,087.8 billion, led by fabricated metal products. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.21, down from 6.30 in February. Real unfilled orders, which had been a good litmus test for sector growth, show an even more-negative picture; in real terms, unfilled orders in June 2014 were back to 97% of their December 2008 peak. Real unfilled orders then jumped to 102% of the prior peak in July 2014, thanks to the largest-ever batch of aircraft orders. Since then, however, real unfilled orders have been trending lower.

The foregoing comments represent the general economic views and analysis of Delphi Advisors, and are provided solely for the purpose of information, instruction and discourse. They do not constitute a solicitation or recommendation regarding any investment.