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Indicator Digest

Factory Orders
Measures the value of new purchase orders for manufacturing goods, both durable and non-durable. factory orders are a key indicator to the strength of the industrial and manufacturing sectors of an economy.

Main Indicator: Factory Orders

Most Recent Release

July
2nd, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
1.2% 0.2% 0.5% 0.7%

For May
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Trans.: 0.8%, pr. 0.1% (Apr), -0.9% (Mar), 1.6% (Feb),
-0.9% (Jan), -4.4% (Dec), -6.5% (Nov), -4.2% (Oct), -3.7% (Sep)
Ex. Defense: 1.0%, pr. 0.3% (Apr), -0.9% (Mar), 0.9% (Feb),
-0.5% (Jan), -5.0% (Dec), -6.6% (Nov), -4.3% (Oct), -3.3% (Sep)

Table of Past Data

10/211/412/41/62/53/54/25/16/37/2
Actual-4.0%-2.5%-5.1%-4.6%-3.9%-1.9%1.8%-0.9%0.7%1.2%
Forecast-2.6%-1.0%-4.0%-2.5%-2.9%-2.5%1.5%-0.7%0.9%0.2%
Previous0.7%-4.3%-3.1%-6.0%-6.5%-4.9%-3.5%0.7%-1.9%0.5%
Revised FromN/A-4.0%-2.5%-5.1%-4.6%-3.9%-1.9%1.8%-0.9%0.7%

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Past Releases

June
3rd, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
0.7% 0.9% -1.9% -0.9%

For April
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Trans.: 0.1%, pr. -0.9% (Mar), 1.6% (Feb), -0.9% (Jan), -4.4% (Dec),
-6.5% (Nov), -4.2% (Oct), -3.7% (Sep), -3.3% (Aug), 1.0% (Jul)
Ex. Defense: 0.3%, pr. -0.9% (Mar), 0.9% (Feb), -0.5% (Jan), -5.0% (Dec),
-6.6% (Nov), -4.3% (Oct), -3.3% (Sep), -4.2% (Aug), 2.0% (Jul)

Factory orders rose 0.7% in April, the second increase in the past three months, though March's figure was revised down to show a bigger decrease of 1.9% than originally reported. The increase this month came on higher demand for automobiles, electrical equipment and construction machinery. Taking transportation goods, like cars and planes, out of the equation orders were up only 0.1%. With firms running down inventory, manufacturers are starting to see orders increase. The ISM manufacturing index rose to its highest level in 9 months in May, another signal that the sector may have hit a bottom during the 1st quarter.

May
1st, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-0.9% -0.7% 0.7% 1.8%

For March
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Trans.: -0.9%, pr. 1.6% (Feb), -0.9% (Jan), -4.4% (Dec), -6.5% (Nov),
-4.2% (Oct), -3.7% (Sep), -3.3% (Aug), 1.0% (Jul)
Ex. Defense: -0.9%, pr. 0.9% (Feb), -0.5% (Jan), -5.0% (Dec), -6.6% (Nov),
-4.3% (Oct), -3.3% (Sep), -4.2% (Aug), 2.0% (Jul)

US factory orders fell 0.9% in March, following a downwardly revised gain of 0.7% in February. The report shows that businesses are liquidating inventories, which was a major theme in the 1st quarter GDP data. Excluding the transportation sector, orders were down 0.9%. On a brighter note, non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, which is a barometer used for capital spending by business, rose 0.4% in March, a second straight month of gains. 

April
2nd, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
1.8% 1.5% -3.5% -1.9%

For February
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Trans.: 1.6%, pr. -0.9% (Jan), -4.4% (Dec), -6.5% (Nov), -4.2% (Oct),
-3.7% (Sep), -3.3% (Aug), 1.0% (Jul)
Ex. Defense: 0.9%, pr. -0.5% (Jan), -5.0% (Dec), -6.6% (Nov), -4.3% (Oct),
-3.3% (Sep), -4.2% (Aug), 2.0% (Jul)

US factory orders increased 1.8% in February, which breaks a streak of 6 straight months of declining orders. The news may signal that the worst of the manufacturing slump may be behind the US. January's figure however was revised lower. The ISM manufacturing index showed yesterday how new orders increased, and today's data echoes those sentiments. Factories may be done adjusting their stockpiles and running down inventory that they were unable to sell in the 4th quarter. If so, they may be ready to start placing new orders, and hopefully start a rebound in this sector. There has been better news recently from the housing sector, but employment and the labor market remains very strained and tomorrow's non-farm payroll report is expected to show further sharp deterioration in jobs and the unemployment rate.

March
5th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-1.9% -2.5% -4.9% -3.9%

For January
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Trans.: -0.9%, pr. -4.4% (Dec), -6.5% (Nov), -4.2% (Oct), -3.7% (Sep),
-3.3% (Aug), 1.0% (Jul)
Ex. Defense: -0.5%, pr. -5.0% (Dec), -6.6% (Nov), -4.3% (Oct), -3.3% (Sep),
-4.2% (Aug), 2.0% (Jul)

US factory orders declined for a record sixth straight month in January, falling 1.9% on the month. The headline figure did show a smaller than expected decline, and compares to a downwards revised 4.9% for the December period. Excluding transportation, orders were down 0.9%, while excluding defense, orders were down 0.5%. The report's barometer for capital spending, non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft decreased 6.7%, after rising by 3.2% in December.

February
5th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-3.9% -2.9% -6.5% -4.6%

For December
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Trans.: -4.4%, pr. -6.5% (r-) (Nov), -4.2% (Oct), -3.7% (Sep), -3.3% (Aug),
1.0% (Jul)
Ex. Defense: -5.0%, pr. -6.6% (r-) (Nov), -4.3% (Oct), -3.3% (Sep), -4.2% (Aug),
2.0% (Jul)

Businesses are significantly cutting their capital spending these days. Factory orders figures fell for the 5th month in a row. Inventories are piling up, and thus demand for new goods are declining. Unfilled orders fell 1.4% in December, the 2nd biggest drop after the 1.5% in September 2002. It should also be noted that the pace of decline in November had to be revised to show a steeper decline in orders. Combined with December's worse than exepcted decline, this is a bad sign for the economy, and indicates a pickup in recessionary contraction.

From the release - Summary:
New orders for manufactured goods in December, down five consecutive months, decreased $14.8 billion or 3.9 percent to $362.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This was the longest streak of consecutive monthly decreases since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 6.5 percent November decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 4.4 percent. Shipments, also down five consecutive months, decreased $11.3 billion or 2.9 percent to $377.6 billion. This was the longest streak of consecutive monthly decreases since March-July 1998 and followed a 6.5 percent November decrease. Unfilled orders, down three consecutive months, decreased $11.0 billion or 1.4 percent to $801.9 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent November decrease. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 5.82, down from 5.87 in November. Inventories, down four consecutive months, decreased $8.0 billion or 1.4 percent to $544.3 billion. This was the largest percent decrease since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.5 percent November decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.44, up from 1.42 in November.
January
6th, 2009
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-4.6% -2.5% -6.0% -5.1%

For November
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Trans.: -4.2%, pr. -4.2% (Oct), -3.7% (Sep), -3.3% (Aug), 1.0% (Jul)
Ex. Defense: -4.7%, pr. -4.3% (Oct), -3.3% (Sep), -4.2% (Aug), 2.0% (Jul)

Factory orders plunged in November, declining 4.6% on the month, almost double the fall expected by economists. In October orders were down 6%, and its the fourth month in a row that orders have declined. These weak orders reflect weaker business conditions for companies that are not restocking inventory. Demand for durable goods fell a revised 1.5% in November, they had originally been estimated sliding 1.0%. The transportation sector was hard hit, declining 7.6%, though those orders were down 12.8% in October. Still, November's data is now slightly dated though the larger than expected fall will weigh on analysis of the economy. The ISM non-manufacturing index, though still remaining in contraction, saw the pace of decline slow as the index rose to 40.6.

December
4th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-5.1% -4.0% -3.1% -2.5%

For October
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Transportation: -4.2%, pr. -3.7% (Oct), -3.3% (Sep), 1.0% (Aug)
Ex. Defense: -4.3%, pr. -3.3% (Oct), -4.2% (Sep), 2.0% (Aug)

US factory orders plunged 5.1% in October, the steepest decline in 8 years. Demand for manufacturing goods continues to weaken as consumers shop less and watch their budgets as the economic situation deteriorates. Retailers and wholesalers are therefore putting in less orders to fill inventory, which is showing up at the factory orders level. The US slipped into recession in December of last year and the manufacturing sector has seen a clear deterioration in the sector that has intensified the last two months. Larger capital goods are also weaker as companies see their access to credit drying up and global demand for goods slowing. Orders for durable goods, those designed to last 3 years or more, fell 6.9%, which is a larger fall than the initial estimate of -6.2% put out by the Commerce department last week. Orders for non-durable goods, including food, petroleum and chemicals, fell 3.4%. Lower costs helped to drive down orders for petroleum and coal products by 12%. The data overall is another piece of evidence that the US recession is deepening. 

November
4th, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-2.5% -1.0% -4.3% -4.0%

For September
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Transportation: -3.7%, pr. -3.3% (Sep), 1.0% (Aug), 2.3% (Jun), 0.4% (May)
Ex. Defense: -3.3%, pr. -4.2% (Sep), 2.0% (Aug), 1.4% (Jun), 0.3% (May)

Factory orders in the US fell 2.5% in September, worse than predicted by forecasts, and follows a dismal 4.3% decline in August. Manufacturing orders outside the transportation sector registered a record decline of 3.7%. The October figures will not be any prettier as the ISM Manufacturing Index hit a 26-year low of 38.9 in October, meaning the tough conditions following the financial crisis of late September-early October filter through to the economy. A yardstick for capital spending by businesses, non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, decreased 1.5% in September following a 2.3% fall in August. That means companies are cutting back orders in anticipation of hard times ahead. The transportation sector saw a rebound however, with orders increasing 6.5%, after a fall of 9.4% in August.

The Dollar fell today as global markets had another round of gains, and with money-market interest rates coming down as well, there was a bout of risk appetite, that pushed down the Dollar and Yen.

October
2nd, 2008
Actual Forecast Previous Revised Form
-4.0% -2.6% 0.7% N/A

For August
Provided by: US Census Bureau

Ex. Transportation: -3.3%, pr. 1.0% (Aug), 2.3% (Jun), 0.4% (May)
Ex. Defense: -4.2%, pr. 2.0% (Aug), 1.4% (Jun), 0.3% (May)

US factory orders fell 4% in August, more than expected, another signal that US manufacturing and the overall economy is weak. July's positive figure was revised down as well. The broad-based headline drop was the worst since a 4.8% decline in October 2006. Combined with yesterday's dismal ISM manufacturing index it is apparent that the US is hurting in the face of higher credit costs, which only intensified in September. Looking at the data more closely, the non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft fell by 2.4%. These bookings are used to gauge capital spending by businesses and shows companies restraining their spending. Total capital orders fell 6%. Orders in the transportation sector decreased 9.1%.