Factory orders effectively delivered no growth (0.0%) in November.
Economists were looking for a gain of 0.4 percent, up from the 0.8 percent growth booked in October.
From the Commerce Department:
New orders for manufactured goods in November, up four of the last five months, increased $0.2 billion to $477.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.8 percent October increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.2 percent.
Shipments, up four of the last five months, increased $2.0 billion or 0.4 percent to $483.7 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent October increase.
Unfilled orders, up five of the last six months, increased $1.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $984.5 billion. This followed a 0.3 percent October increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.14, down from 6.23 in October.
Inventories, down two consecutive months, decreased slightly to $615.2 billion. This followed a slight October decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.27, down from 1.28 in October.
