New orders for manufactured goods in March, up three consecutive months, increased $25.7 billion or 4.3 percent to $618.8 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.5 percent February increase. Shipments, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $596.2 billion. This followed a 0.7 percent February increase. Unfilled orders, up eight of the last nine months, increased $27.6 billion or 2.0 percent to $1,429.4 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.98, up from 6.81 in February. Inventories, up five consecutive months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.1 percent to $865.3 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.45, unchanged from February.