New orders for manufactured goods in February, down following nine consecutive monthly increases, decreased $2.7 billion, or 0.5%, to $542 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

This followed a 1.5% January increase. Shipments, up 21 of the last 22 months, increased $3.1 billion, or 0.6% to $541 billion. This followed a 1.4% January increase, according to Census Bureau data.

Unfilled orders, up 13 consecutive months, increased $5.4 billion or 0.4% to $1,288.5 billion. This followed a 0.9% January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.74, up from 6.72 in January.

Inventories, up 20 of the last 21 months, increased $5 billion or 0.6% to $785.2 billion. This followed a 0.8% January increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.45, unchanged from January, according to the data.