U.S. factory orders slipped 0.1% to $479.6 billion in October from a revised $479.9 billion the previous month, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.
New orders for manufactured durable goods dipped 0.8% to $237.4 billion in October, with transportation equipment, which was down 4.2%, driving the decrease. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods rose 0.7% to $242.2 billion.
Shipments of manufactured durable goods climbed 0.4% to $242.0 billion, and shipments of manufactured nondurable goods increased 0.7% to $242.2 billion. Primary metals, petroleum and coal products led the increase in shipments.
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods were virtually unchanged at $1.135 trillion.
Inventories of manufactured durable and nondurable goods both went up 0.2% to $404.2 billion and $257.3 billion, respectively, with primary metals and chemical products driving the increase.
