FACTORY ORDERS SHOW SLUGGISH ECONOMY

"New orders for manufactured goods in August, down three of the last four months, decreased $2.2 billion or 0.5 percent to $408.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today.  This followed a 0.5 percent July increase.  Excluding transporation, new orders increased 0.9 percent.  Shipments, also down three of the last four months, decreased $2.5 billion or 0.6 percent to $415.1 billion.  This followed a 1.2 percent July increase.  Unfilled orders, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.1 billion to $804.0 billion.  This followed a slight July increase.  The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.59, up from 5.53 in July.  Inventories, up seven of the last eight months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.1 percent to $526.4 billion.  This followed a 0.9 percent July increase.  The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.27, up from 1.26 in July..."