FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012, AT 10:00 A.M. EST 

Chris Savage or Adriana Stoica 

Manufacturing and Construction Division 

(301) 763-4832 

M3-2 (12)-10 

CB12-227 

 Full Report on Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories and Orders 

October 2012 

Summary 

 New orders for manufactured goods in October, up 

three of the last four months, increased $3.8 billion or 

0.8 percent to $477.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau 

reported today. This followed a 4.5 percent September 

increase. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 

1.3 percent. 

 Shipments, up three of the last four months, increased 

$1.9 billion or 0.4 percent to $482.3 billion. This 

followed a 0.7 percent September increase. 

 Unfilled orders, up four of the last five months, 

increased $2.8 billion or 0.3 percent to $982.9 billion. 

This followed a 0.1 percent September increase. The 

unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.25, up from 

6.24 in September. 

 Inventories, up four consecutive months, increased 

$0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $616.0 billion. This was at 

the highest level since the series was first published on a 

NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.6 percent 

September increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio 

was 1.28, unchanged from September. 

New Orders 

 New orders for manufactured durable goods in 

October, up five of the last six months, increased $1.1 

billion or 0.5 percent to $217.9 billion, revised from the 

previously published slight increase. This followed a 9.1 

percent September increase. 

 Machinery, up two consecutive months, had the largest 

increase, $1.4 billion or 4.6 percent to $31.3 billion. 

 New orders for manufactured nondurable goods 

increased $2.7 billion or 1.1 percent to $259.7 billion. 

Shipments 

 Shipments of manufactured durable goods in October, 

down two of the last three months, decreased $0.8 

billion or 0.4 percent to $222.7 billion, revised from the 

previously published 0.6 percent decrease. This 

followed a 0.5 percent September increase. 

 Transportation equipment, also down two of the last 

three months, had the largest decrease, $0.6 billion or 

1.0 percent to $63.8 billion. 

 Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up four 

consecutive months, increased $2.7 billion or 1.1 percent 

to $259.7 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent September 

increase. Petroleum and coal products, also up four 

consecutive months, led the increase, up $1.5 billion or 

1.9 percent to $78.8 billion. 

 

Unfilled Orders 

 Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in 

October, up four of the last five months, increased $2.8 

billion or 0.3 percent to $982.9 billion, revised from the 

previously published 0.2 percent increase. This 

followed a 0.1 percent September increase. 

 

 Transportation equipment, also up four of the last five 

months, had the largest increase, $3.2 billion or 0.6 

percent to $576.9 billion. 

Inventories 

 Inventories of manufactured durable goods in October, 

up thirty-three of the last thirty-four months, increased 

$1.7 billion or 0.4 percent to $374.5 billion, unchanged 

from the previously published increase. This was at the 

highest level since the series was first published on a 

NAICS basis and followed a 0.2 percent September 

increase. 

 

 Transportation equipment, also up thirty-three of the 

last thirty-four months, had the largest increase, $1.1 

billion or 1.0 percent to $113.8 billion. 

 Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, down 

following three consecutive monthly increases, 

decreased $1.2 billion or 0.5 percent to $241.5 billion. 

This followed a 1.1 percent September increase. 

Petroleum and coal products, also down following three 

consecutive monthly increases, drove the decrease, down 

$1.3 billion or 2.3 percent to $54.3 billion. 

 By stage of fabrication, October materials and supplies 

increased 0.2 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.5 

percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 

0.3 percent in durable goods and decreased 1.8 percent 

in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 0.9 

percent in durable goods and 0.1 percent in nondurable 

goods.

Figures in text are adjusted for seasonality, but not for inflation. Figures on new and unfilled orders exclude data for semiconductor manufacturing. For data, call (301) 763-4673 or go to <http://www.census.gov/m3>.The advance report on durable goods for November is scheduled for release on December 

24, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. EST and the full report on January 4, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. EST. See back page for survey description and 2013 release schedule. To 

receive the latest updates on the Nation's key economic indicators, download the America's Economy app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. 
 2 

Table 1. Value of Manufacturers' Shipments for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted 

Monthly Percent Change Monthly

Industry Percent

Oct. Sept. Aug. Sept. - Aug. - July - Oct. Sept. Aug. Oct. 2012/

2012p 2012r 2012 Oct. Sept. Aug. 2012p 2012r 2012 2011 2012p 2011 2011

 All manufacturing industries.................. 482,329 480,401 477,115 0.4 0.7 -0.2 496,503 485,837 497,536 471,056 4,792,731 4,580,052 4.6

 Excluding transportation................... 418,546 415,991 413,221 0.6 0.7 1.1 428,930 418,568 429,483 409,496 4,153,152 4,003,798 3.7

 Excluding defense.............................. 471,478 469,554 466,253 0.4 0.7 -0.3 486,154 473,745 486,776 461,253 4,686,080 4,469,000 4.9

 With unfilled orders............................ 157,294 157,169 156,043 0.1 0.7 -2.3 160,369 162,775 162,728 151,403 1,579,469 1,477,551 6.9

 Durable goods industries......................... 222,667 223,480 222,397 -0.4 0.5 -2.9 232,999 229,943 232,675 219,047 2,248,180 2,092,597 7.4

 Wood products....................................... 6,363 6,196 6,219 2.7 -0.4 1.9 6,799 6,331 6,729 6,099 62,524 58,335 7.2

 Nonmetallic mineral products.................... 8,182 8,115 8,133 0.8 -0.2 0.6 8,973 8,286 9,216 8,467 82,370 79,123 4.1

 Primary metals....................................... 27,905 28,242 28,029 -1.2 0.8 -0.4 28,405 27,828 29,575 27,013 290,058 253,005 14.6

 Iron and steel mills............................ 10,636 10,751 11,000 -1.1 -2.3 0.5 10,449 10,282 11,380 11,344 114,554 116,737 -1.9

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals.......... 15,492 15,721 15,263 -1.5 3.0 -1.0 16,166 15,760 16,361 13,990 157,044 119,960 30.9

 Ferrous metal foundries....................... 1,777 1,770 1,766 0.4 0.2 -1.5 1,790 1,786 1,834 1,679 18,460 16,308 13.2

 Fabricated metal products....................... 27,212 27,193 27,239 0.1 -0.2 0.3 28,851 27,912 29,531 27,743 278,090 265,670 4.7

 Machinery............................................. 32,406 32,204 32,458 0.6 -0.8 -1.1 33,083 32,608 33,022 30,154 323,612 295,784 9.4

 Farm machinery................................. 1,658 1,584 1,614 4.7 -1.9 -13.7 1,605 1,458 1,461 2,429 21,807 25,379 -14.1

 Construction machinery..................... 5,486 5,567 5,516 -1.5 0.9 1.4 6,230 5,831 5,981 4,173 48,727 35,699 36.5

 Mining, oil field, and 

 gas field machinery.......................... 2,120 2,101 2,126 0.9 -1.2 -2.7 2,116 2,124 2,083 1,966 20,797 19,614 6.0

 Industrial machinery.......................... 3,544 3,423 3,474 3.5 -1.5 -0.3 3,547 3,723 3,234 3,025 32,584 29,131 11.9

 Photographic equipment...................... 645 632 649 2.1 -2.6 0.8 672 672 706 669 6,481 6,628 -2.2

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............ 3,178 3,088 3,121 2.9 -1.1 -1.8 2,871 3,186 3,482 2,506 31,702 29,810 6.3

 Metalworking machinery..................... 2,541 2,495 2,498 1.8 -0.1 -1.2 2,717 2,480 2,599 2,265 24,392 20,338 19.9

 Turbines, generators, and other

 power transmission equipment....... 3,381 3,423 3,418 -1.2 0.1 -1.8 3,505 3,297 3,415 3,432 36,446 34,376 6.0

 Material handling equipment............... 2,887 2,841 2,820 1.6 0.7 0.1 2,984 2,779 3,018 2,747 27,955 25,230 10.8

 Computers and electronic products2

.......... 27,951 28,069 27,439 -0.4 2.3 -3.5 30,026 30,014 26,685 29,763 281,453 282,757 -0.5

 Computers........................................ 912 1,128 980 -19.1 15.1 -0.6 1,085 1,334 879 2,103 11,360 15,476 -26.6

 Computer storage devices..................... 614 653 822 -6.0 -20.6 -23.7 418 919 740 526 7,232 6,363 13.7

 Other peripheral equipment................ 842 911 867 -7.6 5.1 -0.7 748 1,168 776 861 8,440 8,400 0.5

 Nondefense communications

 equipment.................................... 2,803 2,666 2,721 5.1 -2.0 2.9 2,563 3,155 2,599 2,375 26,397 27,076 -2.5

 Defense communications equipment.... 493 345 364 42.9 -5.2 3.4 500 380 361 454 4,011 5,012 -20.0

 Audio and video equipment.................... 235 258 244 -8.9 5.7 -5.1 263 251 195 259 2,208 2,100 5.1

 Electronic components......................... 3,502 3,477 3,540 0.7 -1.8 -0.6 3,431 3,673 3,692 3,488 35,474 36,059 -1.6

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 1,274 1,312 1,302 -2.9 0.8 -4.3 1,246 1,446 1,313 1,197 12,989 12,845 1.1

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment..................................... 2,993 3,032 2,889 -1.3 4.9 -3.5 2,933 3,278 2,881 2,729 29,176 29,334 -0.5

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments................. 6,207 6,316 6,039 -1.7 4.6 -2.0 5,903 6,993 5,792 6,483 65,878 67,883 -3.0

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 9,833 9,798 9,887 0.4 -0.9 -0.6 10,064 10,302 10,336 9,773 99,889 97,310 2.7

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 886 859 900 3.1 -4.6 0.7 916 879 920 898 8,961 9,360 -4.3

 Household appliances........................ 1,608 1,600 1,571 0.5 1.8 0.9 1,653 1,646 1,621 1,502 15,771 14,998 5.2

 Electrical equipment............................ 2,970 3,002 3,059 -1.1 -1.9 -1.4 2,824 3,264 3,157 2,882 31,091 30,248 2.8

 Batteries........................................... 967 1,001 1,003 -3.4 -0.2 2.2 1,168 1,115 1,079 1,138 9,625 9,199 4.6

 Transportation equipment........................ 63,783 64,410 63,894 -1.0 0.8 -8.0 67,573 67,269 68,053 61,560 639,579 576,254 11.0

 Automobiles..................................... 8,893 8,833 8,552 0.7 3.3 -2.8 10,113 8,914 9,467 8,390 88,269 70,843 24.6

 Light trucks and utility vehicles.............. 12,805 13,737 14,211 -6.8 -3.3 -11.7 14,629 14,179 15,651 13,339 135,099 116,399 16.1

 Heavy duty trucks ............................. 2,118 2,178 2,289 -2.8 -4.8 -6.9 2,251 2,203 2,397 2,542 24,783 21,847 13.4

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers.................................... 18,685 18,305 18,464 2.1 -0.9 -15.8 20,599 18,213 20,329 18,983 189,762 180,593 5.1

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 10,359 10,426 9,177 -0.6 13.6 -5.9 9,454 11,387 9,058 8,273 93,068 76,550 21.6

 Defense aircraft and parts.................. 4,516 4,456 4,587 1.3 -2.9 5.9 4,158 5,210 4,537 3,968 44,997 44,671 0.7

 Ships and boats................................. 2,250 2,171 2,277 3.6 -4.7 2.6 2,215 2,231 2,222 2,151 22,262 22,291 -0.1

 Furniture and related products.................. 5,428 5,422 5,373 0.1 0.9 0.9 5,358 5,472 5,854 5,068 53,997 51,902 4.0

 Miscellaneous durable goods................. 13,604 13,831 13,726 -1.6 0.8 1.2 13,867 13,921 13,674 13,407 136,608 132,457 3.1

 Nondurable goods industries..................... 259,662 256,921 254,718 1.1 0.9 2.2 263,504 255,894 264,861 252,009 2,544,551 2,487,455 2.3

 Food products....................................... 61,301 60,822 60,712 0.8 0.2 0.0 65,103 62,124 61,843 63,712 604,125 588,348 2.7

 Grain and oilseed milling....................... 8,319 8,269 8,329 0.6 -0.7 2.0 9,383 8,166 8,717 9,040 81,524 78,965 3.2

 Dairy products.................................. 8,426 8,221 8,177 2.5 0.5 1.1 8,752 8,308 8,494 8,894 82,705 86,773 -4.7

 Meat, poultry, and seafood products... 16,788 16,608 16,485 1.1 0.7 -1.5 17,217 16,603 16,756 17,172 167,330 164,103 2.0

 Beverage and tobacco products................ 12,642 12,294 12,952 2.8 -5.1 2.4 12,619 12,223 13,545 11,807 124,440 117,099 6.3

 Beverages......................................... 9,201 9,197 9,179 0.0 0.2 -1.0 9,178 9,126 9,772 8,482 90,902 83,869 8.4

 Tobacco............................................ 3,441 3,097 3,773 11.1 -17.9 11.8 3,441 3,097 3,773 3,325 33,538 33,230 0.9

 Textile mills........................................... 2,489 2,467 2,466 0.9 0.0 -0.1 2,532 2,505 2,621 2,523 25,230 25,724 -1.9

 Textile products................................... 1,978 1,962 1,983 0.8 -1.1 1.3 1,993 1,961 2,078 1,922 19,901 18,992 4.8

 Apparel................................................ 1,324 1,277 1,304 3.7 -2.1 0.8 1,524 1,324 1,459 1,425 12,653 11,974 5.7

 Leather and allied products...................... 458 437 440 4.8 -0.7 -1.8 473 473 464 451 4,598 4,575 0.5

 Paper products...................................... 13,937 13,860 13,871 0.6 -0.1 -0.2 14,474 13,865 14,524 14,258 140,211 142,576 -1.7

 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills....... 6,562 6,498 6,488 1.0 0.2 0.1 6,807 6,539 6,800 6,736 65,810 67,070 -1.9

 Paperboard containers........................ 4,060 4,082 4,067 -0.5 0.4 -0.8 4,278 4,030 4,266 4,197 41,201 42,077 -2.1

 Printing................................................. 6,769 6,668 6,692 1.5 -0.4 1.0 7,272 6,925 6,939 7,021 67,031 68,138 -1.6

 Petroleum and coal products.................. 78,821 77,324 74,953 1.9 3.2 7.3 76,876 76,118 79,142 69,724 733,429 696,306 5.3

 Petroleum refineries.......................... 74,677 73,220 70,830 2.0 3.4 7.6 72,187 71,602 74,046 65,395 689,690 655,132 5.3

 Chemical products..................................... 62,505 62,442 62,095 0.1 0.6 0.3 62,666 61,312 63,906 61,916 635,467 643,538 -1.3

 Pesticides, fertilizers, and other

 agricultural chemicals....................... 3,239 3,262 3,062 -0.7 6.5 1.0 2,530 2,793 2,672 2,339 32,159 30,398 5.8

 Pharmaceuticals and medicines............. 13,665 13,496 13,684 1.3 -1.4 -2.9 14,439 12,938 13,965 14,497 140,887 149,488 -5.8

 Paints, coatings, and adhesives.......... 2,725 2,736 2,733 -0.4 0.1 -2.5 2,775 2,719 2,985 2,811 29,212 27,510 6.2

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 17,438 17,368 17,250 0.4 0.7 -0.3 17,972 17,064 18,340 17,250 177,466 170,185 4.3

p

 Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted 

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price changes.

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.

2 Estimates and percent changes of shipments for the semiconductor industry are no longer shown separately, but are included in computers and electronic products, and all other applicable

 aggregate totals. 

Year to date
 3

Table 2. Value of Manufacturers' New Orders for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted 

Monthly Percent Change Monthly

Industry Percent

Oct. Sept. Aug. Sept. - Aug. - July - Oct. Sept. Aug. Oct. 2012/

2012p 2012r 2012 Oct. Sept. Aug. 2012p 2012r 2012 2011 2012p 2011 2011

All manufacturing industries 2........................ 477,577 473,786 453,411 0.8 4.5 -5.1 485,893 478,659 468,249 462,050 4,723,719 4,564,426 3.5

 Excluding transportation2

...................... 410,581 405,220 400,540 1.3 1.2 0.7 416,928 407,014 413,115 405,119 4,074,710 3,972,313 2.6

 Excluding defense2.............................. 466,661 462,764 444,507 0.8 4.1 -4.5 477,192 466,163 461,087 454,486 4,620,064 4,447,753 3.9

 With unfilled orders 2............................. 160,115 157,989 139,495 1.3 13.3 -16.4 160,101 162,407 140,379 151,149 1,583,678 1,530,121 3.5

 Durable goods industries 2......................... 217,915 216,865 198,693 0.5 9.1 -13.1 222,389 222,765 203,388 210,041 2,179,168 2,076,971 4.9

 Primary metals........................................ 28,421 27,966 26,908 1.6 3.9 -2.5 28,576 26,577 28,172 26,514 284,065 251,971 12.7

 Iron and steel mills.............................. 11,059 10,523 10,183 5.1 3.3 -3.2 10,424 9,356 10,431 10,554 110,246 113,343 -2.7

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals.......... 15,568 15,758 15,033 -1.2 4.8 -1.3 16,365 15,584 15,987 14,185 155,409 121,765 27.6

 Ferrous metal foundries....................... 1,794 1,685 1,692 6.5 -0.4 -8.2 1,787 1,637 1,754 1,775 18,410 16,863 9.2

 Fabricated metal products........................ 27,237 27,013 27,421 0.8 -1.5 -0.9 28,003 27,372 28,888 27,510 282,236 271,353 4.0

 Machinery............................................. 31,299 29,936 27,778 4.6 7.8 -6.1 32,235 29,408 26,921 33,983 313,933 324,363 -3.2

 Construction machinery........................ 4,688 4,754 4,493 -1.4 5.8 13.8 5,478 4,927 4,263 5,493 42,877 41,803 2.6

 Mining, oil field, and

 gas field machinery.......................... 2,013 2,060 1,414 -2.3 45.7 -5.2 2,183 1,804 1,319 1,818 19,337 26,361 -26.6

 Industrial machinery............................ 3,177 3,159 3,468 0.6 -8.9 9.6 3,318 3,302 3,082 2,742 31,918 29,129 9.6

 Photographic equipment....................... 697 629 639 10.8 -1.6 -2.6 703 723 655 610 6,995 6,805 2.8

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............... 3,467 3,200 1,187 8.3 169.6 -66.0 2,999 2,940 1,269 2,542 31,782 31,174 2.0

 Metalworking machinery....................... 2,590 2,507 2,356 3.3 6.4 1.1 2,811 2,442 2,378 2,418 24,163 22,057 9.5

 Turbines, generators, and other 

 power transmission equipment........... 3,039 2,687 2,587 13.1 3.9 -2.7 3,072 2,560 2,483 4,619 34,520 40,577 -14.9

 Material handling equipment.................. 2,841 2,568 2,953 10.6 -13.0 4.8 2,748 2,680 3,119 2,534 28,164 26,042 8.1

 Computers and electronic products 2

........... 20,416 20,318 20,428 0.5 -0.5 -4.0 19,311 24,060 19,140 21,758 213,992 214,589 -0.3

 Computers........................................ 930 1,154 1,035 -19.4 11.5 15.0 1,103 1,360 934 2,104 11,411 15,363 -25.7

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 2,719 2,515 2,625 8.1 -4.2 -8.5 2,655 3,509 2,650 3,174 29,751 27,277 9.1

 Defense communications equipment....... 395 280 356 41.1 -21.3 -9.9 334 428 283 293 3,451 4,227 -18.4

 Electronic components......................... 3,591 3,499 3,474 2.6 0.7 -1.3 3,511 3,614 3,699 3,582 35,622 36,403 -2.1

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 1,674 1,682 1,684 -0.5 -0.1 7.6 1,679 1,818 1,573 1,361 16,814 13,547 24.1

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 2,798 2,672 2,960 4.7 -9.7 -4.2 2,494 2,945 2,641 2,606 28,396 28,031 1.3

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments..................... 6,115 6,158 5,846 -0.7 5.3 -6.0 5,512 7,441 5,130 6,456 65,600 68,865 -4.7

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 9,897 9,445 9,815 4.8 -3.8 2.6 10,144 9,646 10,221 10,106 99,743 100,350 -0.6

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 907 870 875 4.3 -0.6 -1.0 919 940 893 841 9,033 9,578 -5.7

 Household appliances.......................... 1,620 1,604 1,568 1.0 2.3 3.4 1,651 1,642 1,631 1,496 15,763 15,085 4.5

 Electrical equipment............................ 3,054 2,844 3,064 7.4 -7.2 1.7 2,943 2,872 3,092 2,994 31,222 31,386 -0.5

 Transportation equipment........................ 66,996 68,566 52,871 -2.3 29.7 -33.7 68,965 71,645 55,134 56,931 649,009 592,113 9.6

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers..................................... 18,543 17,998 18,445 3.0 -2.4 -15.7 20,415 18,014 20,077 18,874 188,051 180,034 4.5

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 13,799 14,616 533 -5.6 2,642.2 -97.2 12,356 15,571 30 6,102 110,843 91,216 21.5

 Defense aircraft and parts.................... 5,666 5,923 4,490 -4.3 31.9 -1.4 4,997 6,497 3,236 3,649 46,989 46,426 1.2

 Ships and boats.................................. 1,739 1,564 1,347 11.2 16.1 -45.0 1,372 1,620 1,065 1,055 17,080 24,338 -29.8

 Furniture and related products................... 5,441 5,486 5,397 -0.8 1.6 0.4 5,457 5,526 5,296 5,207 54,685 52,337 4.5

 Nondurable goods industries..................... 259,662 256,921 254,718 1.1 0.9 2.2 263,504 255,894 264,861 252,009 2,544,551 2,487,455 2.3

p

 Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally

 adjusted estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday

and trading-day differences, where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not

adjusted for price changes.

2

 Data on new orders are not available for the semiconductor industry. Estimates and percent changes for new orders exclude semiconductor industry data.

Note: Estimates of manufacturers' shipments, inventories and orders are subject to survey error and revision. One major component of survey error is nonsampling

error, which includes errors of coverage, response, and nonreporting. Since the survey panel is not a probability sample, estimates of sampling error cannot be

calculated. For further details on survey design, methodology, and data limitations see <http://www.census.gov/manufacturing/m3/>.

Year to date
 4 

Table 3. Value of Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Oct. Sept. Aug. Sept. - Aug. - July - Oct. Sept. Aug. Oct. Oct.

2012p 2012r 2012 Oct. Sept. Aug. 2012p 2012r 2012 2011 12/11

All manufacturing industries 2...................... 982,945 980,124 979,304 0.3 0.1 -1.7 970,132 970,400 970,768 928,844 4.4

 Excluding transportation2

...................... 406,017 406,409 409,745 -0.1 -0.8 -1.3 400,036 401,696 406,440 398,716 0.3

 Excluding defense2............................. 792,990 790,234 789,589 0.3 0.1 -1.8 783,613 782,233 783,005 738,270 6.1

 Durable goods industries 2

........................ 982,945 980,124 979,304 0.3 0.1 -1.7 970,132 970,400 970,768 928,844 4.4

 Primary metals........................................ 31,922 31,406 31,682 1.6 -0.9 -3.4 30,009 29,838 31,089 32,116 -6.6

 Iron and steel mills............................... 17,557 17,134 17,362 2.5 -1.3 -4.5 16,111 16,136 17,062 17,160 -6.1

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals............. 10,948 10,872 10,835 0.7 0.3 -2.1 10,591 10,392 10,568 11,769 -10.0

 Ferrous metal foundries........................ 3,417 3,400 3,485 0.5 -2.4 -2.1 3,307 3,310 3,459 3,187 3.8

 Fabricated metal products......................... 82,891 82,866 83,046 0.0 -0.2 0.2 81,517 82,365 82,905 77,083 5.8

 Machinery.............................................. 126,542 127,649 129,917 -0.9 -1.7 -3.5 124,783 125,631 128,831 131,505 -5.1

 Construction machinery......................... 22,090 22,888 23,701 -3.5 -3.4 -4.1 20,969 21,721 22,625 26,525 -20.9

 Mining, oil field, and

 gas field machinery.......................... 18,582 18,689 18,730 -0.6 -0.2 -3.7 18,731 18,664 18,984 20,348 -7.9

 Industrial machinery............................. 7,794 8,161 8,425 -4.5 -3.1 -0.1 7,730 7,959 8,380 8,592 -10.0

 Photographic equipment........................ 2,924 2,872 2,875 1.8 -0.1 -0.3 2,976 2,945 2,894 2,705 10.0

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment................ 8,763 8,474 8,362 3.4 1.3 -18.8 8,470 8,342 8,588 8,373 1.2

 Metalworking machinery........................ 7,217 7,168 7,156 0.7 0.2 -1.9 7,079 6,985 7,023 7,220 -2.0

 Turbines, generators, and other 

 power transmission equipment............ 25,800 26,142 26,878 -1.3 -2.7 -3.0 25,571 26,004 26,741 24,882 2.8

 Material handling equipment................... 8,076 8,122 8,395 -0.6 -3.3 1.6 7,942 8,178 8,277 7,630 4.1

 Computers and electronic products 2

............. 136,461 136,423 136,739 0.0 -0.2 0.1 135,872 136,245 135,389 130,940 3.8

 Computers......................................... 1,207 1,189 1,163 1.5 2.2 5.0 1,207 1,189 1,163 1,151 4.9

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 28,292 28,376 28,527 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 28,741 28,649 28,295 25,653 12.0

 Defense communications equipment........ 5,052 5,150 5,215 -1.9 -1.2 -0.2 5,014 5,180 5,132 6,165 -18.7

 Electronic components.......................... 13,214 13,125 13,103 0.7 0.2 -0.5 13,216 13,136 13,195 13,251 -0.3

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment....................................... 13,890 13,490 13,120 3.0 2.8 3.0 13,902 13,469 13,097 9,812 41.7

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment....................................... 45,797 45,992 46,352 -0.4 -0.8 0.2 45,068 45,507 45,840 45,749 -1.5

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments...................... 29,009 29,101 29,259 -0.3 -0.5 -0.7 28,724 29,115 28,667 29,159 -1.5

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components.................................... 20,817 20,753 21,106 0.3 -1.7 -0.3 20,582 20,502 21,158 20,169 2.0

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 1,051 1,030 1,019 2.0 1.1 -2.4 1,107 1,104 1,043 1,197 -7.5

 Household appliances........................... 677 665 661 1.8 0.6 -0.5 641 643 647 624 2.7

 Electrical equipment............................. 9,738 9,654 9,812 0.9 -1.6 0.1 9,637 9,518 9,910 9,328 3.3

 Transportation equipment......................... 576,928 573,715 569,559 0.6 0.7 -1.9 570,096 568,704 564,328 530,128 7.5

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers...................................... 15,982 16,124 16,431 -0.9 -1.9 -0.1 15,407 15,591 15,790 15,984 -3.6

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 407,192 403,752 399,562 0.9 1.0 -2.1 403,532 400,630 396,446 356,220 13.3

 Defense aircraft and parts..................... 62,854 61,704 60,237 1.9 2.4 -0.2 61,348 60,509 59,222 57,892 6.0

 Ships and boats.................................. 17,286 17,797 18,404 -2.9 -3.3 -4.8 16,606 17,449 18,060 23,920 -30.6

 Furniture and related products................... 6,471 6,458 6,394 0.2 1.0 0.4 6,360 6,261 6,207 6,046 5.2

p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally

adjusted estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday

and trading-day differences, where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not

adjusted for price changes.

2

 Data on unfilled orders are not available for the semiconductor industry. Estimates and percent changes for unfilled orders exclude semiconductor industry data. 

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.
 5

Table 4. Value of Manufacturers' Inventories for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Oct. Sept. Aug. Sept. - Aug. - July - Oct. Sept. Aug. Oct. Oct.

2012p 2012r 2012 Oct. Sept. Aug. 2012p 2012r 2012 2011 12/11

 All manufacturing industries...................... 615,950 615,453 611,959 0.1 0.6 0.6 618,736 614,642 615,526 600,610 3.0

 Excluding transportation........................ 502,180 502,758 499,769 -0.1 0.6 0.5 504,631 502,397 501,994 497,396 1.5

 Excluding defense............................. 590,352 589,697 585,635 0.1 0.7 0.6 593,124 589,026 589,269 574,579 3.2

 With unfilled orders............................. 303,591 302,277 301,397 0.4 0.3 0.6 303,516 300,852 304,590 287,236 5.7

 Durable goods industries........................ 374,473 372,820 371,952 0.4 0.2 0.6 374,493 371,034 375,663 355,734 5.3

 Wood products........................................ 9,081 9,058 8,973 0.3 0.9 0.5 9,177 9,104 8,924 8,756 4.8

 Nonmetallic mineral products..................... 11,684 11,642 11,692 0.4 -0.4 0.6 11,361 11,455 11,558 11,037 2.9

 Primary metals......................................... 34,686 34,285 34,105 1.2 0.5 0.0 34,328 34,330 34,343 34,832 -1.4

 Iron and steel mills............................... 20,129 19,879 19,785 1.3 0.5 -0.3 19,864 19,966 19,933 20,896 -4.9

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals............ 12,428 12,257 12,163 1.4 0.8 0.5 12,341 12,263 12,276 11,909 3.6

 Ferrous metal foundries........................ 2,129 2,149 2,157 -0.9 -0.4 0.6 2,123 2,101 2,134 2,027 4.7

 Fabricated metal products......................... 46,249 46,069 45,966 0.4 0.2 0.2 46,000 45,972 46,263 44,936 2.4

 Machinery.............................................. 66,896 66,990 66,997 -0.1 0.0 0.6 66,681 66,369 67,552 61,392 8.6

 Farm machinery.................................. 3,831 3,780 3,738 1.3 1.1 1.3 3,433 3,468 3,548 3,067 11.9

 Construction machinery......................... 5,990 6,047 6,080 -0.9 -0.5 0.5 5,960 6,033 6,024 4,994 19.3

 Mining, oil field, 

 and gas field machinery.................... 7,890 7,838 7,780 0.7 0.7 1.2 7,780 7,813 7,925 6,645 17.1

 Industrial machinery............................. 7,182 7,165 7,206 0.2 -0.6 0.5 7,182 7,204 7,285 7,182 0.0

 Photographic equipment....................... 1,469 1,467 1,473 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 1,514 1,475 1,512 1,522 -0.5

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............... 4,061 4,075 4,079 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 4,048 4,003 4,174 4,123 -1.8

 Metalworking machinery........................ 5,504 5,496 5,471 0.1 0.5 0.0 5,613 5,645 5,563 5,124 9.5

 Turbines, generators, and other

 power transmission equipment............ 11,075 11,206 11,149 -1.2 0.5 0.9 11,369 11,049 11,527 10,173 11.8

 Material handling equipment.................. 4,522 4,485 4,499 0.8 -0.3 1.6 4,528 4,512 4,587 3,859 17.3

 Computers and electronic products2............ 46,412 46,575 46,503 -0.3 0.2 0.1 46,839 46,214 47,351 46,176 1.4

 Computers......................................... 1,178 1,114 1,155 5.7 -3.5 -3.5 1,196 1,143 1,233 1,314 -9.0

 Computer storage devices.................... 1,048 1,035 1,080 1.3 -4.2 -0.2 1,105 1,006 1,161 1,166 -5.2

 Other peripheral equipment................... 1,646 1,657 1,704 -0.7 -2.8 -1.0 1,677 1,610 1,782 1,720 -2.5

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 6,937 6,993 6,962 -0.8 0.4 -0.8 7,041 6,885 7,060 6,887 2.2

 Defense communications equipment........ 1,490 1,616 1,591 -7.8 1.6 2.3 1,490 1,616 1,591 2,165 -31.2

 Audio and video equipment.................... 682 680 660 0.3 3.0 1.9 780 780 728 665 17.3

 Electronic components.......................... 7,316 7,353 7,302 -0.5 0.7 -0.1 7,396 7,263 7,274 6,973 6.1

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 3,358 3,325 3,385 1.0 -1.8 0.4 3,425 3,321 3,451 3,292 4.0

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment....................................... 2,707 2,701 2,706 0.2 -0.2 -2.7 2,704 2,629 2,720 2,808 -3.7

 Electromedical, measuring 

 and control instruments...................... 11,870 11,906 11,844 -0.3 0.5 0.5 11,920 11,749 12,083 11,852 0.6

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components.................................... 15,735 15,554 15,435 1.2 0.8 -0.2 15,658 15,248 15,650 15,048 4.1

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 1,788 1,800 1,786 -0.7 0.8 0.5 1,764 1,778 1,814 1,633 8.0

 Household appliances........................... 1,666 1,665 1,652 0.1 0.8 -0.4 1,701 1,677 1,729 1,771 -4.0

 Electrical equipment............................. 4,593 4,572 4,625 0.5 -1.1 -0.9 4,584 4,329 4,684 4,559 0.5

 Batteries............................................ 1,045 1,054 1,063 -0.9 -0.8 0.6 1,046 1,063 1,101 1,047 -0.1

 Transportation equipment......................... 113,770 112,695 112,190 1.0 0.5 1.5 114,105 112,245 113,532 103,214 10.6

 Automobiles....................................... 3,006 2,913 2,811 3.2 3.6 6.1 3,120 2,891 2,860 2,766 12.8

 Light trucks and utility vehicles.............. 2,696 2,548 2,572 5.8 -0.9 -1.4 2,834 2,621 2,743 2,725 4.0

 Heavy duty trucks ............................... 2,170 2,120 2,111 2.4 0.4 2.9 2,280 2,122 2,198 2,114 7.9

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers...................................... 17,804 17,709 17,661 0.5 0.3 0.3 17,707 17,597 17,633 16,996 4.2

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 61,975 61,158 60,259 1.3 1.5 2.0 61,946 60,798 61,157 53,245 16.3

 Defense aircraft and parts..................... 13,160 13,170 13,615 -0.1 -3.3 2.0 13,264 13,257 13,715 12,958 2.4

 Ships and boats.................................. 3,072 3,083 3,107 -0.4 -0.8 1.3 3,056 3,027 3,054 2,930 4.3

 Furniture and related products.................... 6,215 6,173 6,160 0.7 0.2 -0.2 6,196 6,185 6,263 5,990 3.4

 Miscellaneous durable goods..................... 23,745 23,779 23,931 -0.1 -0.6 -0.5 24,148 23,912 24,227 24,353 -0.8

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 241,477 242,633 240,007 -0.5 1.1 0.7 244,243 243,608 239,863 244,876 -0.3

 Food products........................................ 45,977 45,491 45,154 1.1 0.7 0.7 48,917 46,116 45,438 47,503 3.0

 Grain and oilseed milling........................ 5,625 5,583 5,411 0.8 3.2 3.7 5,932 5,379 5,277 5,357 10.7

 Dairy products.................................... 5,919 5,837 5,819 1.4 0.3 0.6 5,921 5,867 6,002 6,004 -1.4

 Meat, poultry, and seafood products....... 7,860 7,813 7,746 0.6 0.9 0.5 8,139 7,924 7,789 7,831 3.9

 Beverage and tobacco products................ 18,985 18,728 18,466 1.4 1.4 -0.3 19,699 18,540 17,795 18,347 7.4

 Beverages......................................... 15,218 14,963 14,737 1.7 1.5 -0.4 15,878 14,896 14,277 14,591 8.8

 Tobacco............................................ 3,767 3,765 3,729 0.1 1.0 0.1 3,821 3,644 3,518 3,756 1.7

 Textile mills............................................ 3,386 3,377 3,383 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 3,367 3,374 3,386 3,529 -4.6

 Textile products...................................... 3,154 3,153 3,142 0.0 0.4 -0.7 3,149 3,175 3,170 3,223 -2.3

 Apparel................................................. 2,408 2,385 2,347 1.0 1.6 1.3 2,478 2,548 2,491 2,290 8.2

 Leather and allied products....................... 851 853 846 -0.2 0.8 1.2 850 863 869 801 6.1

 Paper products....................................... 13,979 14,014 14,129 -0.2 -0.8 -0.9 13,924 14,027 14,141 14,325 -2.8

 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills........... 6,002 6,062 6,184 -1.0 -2.0 -1.7 5,951 6,065 6,174 6,328 -6.0

 Paperboard containers......................... 4,128 4,093 4,078 0.9 0.4 0.3 4,086 4,060 4,067 4,011 1.9

 Printing.................................................. 5,246 5,265 5,358 -0.4 -1.7 -0.2 5,425 5,353 5,500 5,606 -3.2

 Petroleum and coal products..................... 54,315 55,589 53,666 -2.3 3.6 3.9 53,845 56,102 53,204 52,720 2.1

 Petroleum refineries............................. 49,998 51,287 49,445 -2.5 3.7 4.0 49,518 51,782 48,867 48,613 1.9

 Chemical products..................................... 71,522 72,272 72,154 -1.0 0.2 -0.5 71,186 72,069 72,481 75,317 -5.5

 Pesticides, fertilizers, and other

 agricultural chemicals........................ 4,004 4,110 4,153 -2.6 -1.0 3.9 3,797 3,820 3,778 3,961 -4.1

 Pharmaceuticals and medicines.............. 23,791 24,238 23,829 -1.8 1.7 -0.5 23,831 24,208 24,117 24,764 -3.8

 Paints, coatings, and adhesives.............. 2,881 2,889 2,914 -0.3 -0.9 -1.1 2,760 2,831 2,933 2,827 -2.4

 Plastics and rubber products..................... 21,654 21,506 21,362 0.7 0.7 0.0 21,403 21,441 21,388 21,215 0.9

p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted 

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price change 2 Estimates of inventories for the semiconductor industry data are included in computers and electronic products and all other applicable aggregate totals, but are not shown separate

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.
 6 

Table 5. Value of Manufacturers' Shipments, New Orders, Unfilled Orders, and Total Inventories for 

 Topical Series1, 2

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Year to date Percent

Industry Change6

Oct. Sept. Aug. Sept. - Aug. - July - Oct. Sept. Aug. Oct. 2012/

2012p 2012r 2012 Oct. Sept. Aug. 2012p 2012r 2012 2011 2012p 2011 2011

SHIPMENTS

 All manufacturing industries................... 482,329 480,401 477,115 0.4 0.7 -0.2 496,503 485,837 497,536 471,056 4,792,731 4,580,052 4.6

 Construction materials and supplies....... 40,790 40,365 40,569 1.1 -0.5 0.4 43,613 41,592 45,070 41,478 416,093 396,403 5.0

 Information technology......................... 20,923 21,125 20,746 -1.0 1.8 -2.5 20,428 23,601 20,320 21,545 213,680 218,635 -2.3

 Computers and related products........... 2,368 2,692 2,669 -12.0 0.9 -9.1 2,251 3,421 2,395 3,490 27,032 30,239 -10.6

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 42,501 43,053 43,516 -1.3 -1.1 -11.7 47,592 43,509 47,844 43,254 437,913 389,682 12.4

 Capital goods...................................... 78,305 78,737 77,324 -0.5 1.8 -1.8 77,907 83,041 77,710 74,458 778,630 736,558 5.7

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 69,972 70,173 69,199 -0.3 1.4 -1.8 69,916 73,626 69,628 66,796 695,996 647,671 7.5

 Excluding aircraft............................. 62,778 62,850 63,065 -0.1 -0.3 -1.1 63,386 65,834 63,448 61,528 634,796 602,645 5.3

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 8,333 8,564 8,125 -2.7 5.4 -1.5 7,991 9,415 8,082 7,662 82,634 88,887 -7.0

 Consumer goods.................................. 212,057 210,519 208,943 0.7 0.8 1.4 217,851 210,384 217,433 204,826 2,064,840 1,974,038 4.6

 Consumer durable goods..................... 34,479 35,559 35,572 -3.0 0.0 -5.3 37,606 36,287 37,937 34,157 352,839 312,388 12.9

 Consumer nondurable goods................ 177,578 174,960 173,371 1.5 0.9 2.9 180,245 174,097 179,496 170,669 1,712,001 1,661,650 3.0

 All manufacturing industries5

................... 477,577 473,786 453,411 0.8 4.5 -5.1 485,893 478,659 468,249 462,050 4,723,719 4,564,426 3.5

 Construction materials and supplies....... 41,175 40,472 38,914 1.7 4.0 -5.4 43,362 41,332 42,593 40,904 417,586 399,786 4.5

 Information technology......................... 20,871 20,574 20,898 1.4 -1.6 -3.2 19,966 24,246 19,622 22,423 219,465 220,093 -0.3

 Computers and related products........... 2,386 2,718 2,724 -12.2 -0.2 -4.4 2,269 3,447 2,450 3,491 27,083 30,126 -10.1

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 42,359 42,746 43,497 -0.9 -1.7 -11.7 47,408 43,310 47,592 43,145 436,202 389,123 12.1

 Capital goods...................................... 79,962 79,328 63,861 0.8 24.2 -25.8 77,609 84,252 60,726 74,301 789,819 783,766 0.8

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 72,192 70,938 57,756 1.8 22.8 -23.9 71,801 74,796 55,769 68,891 710,410 689,346 3.1

 Excluding aircraft............................. 61,728 60,013 60,305 2.9 -0.5 0.3 62,553 62,971 58,394 66,456 633,129 632,549 0.1

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 7,770 8,390 6,105 -7.4 37.4 -40.0 5,808 9,456 4,957 5,410 79,409 94,420 -15.9

 Consumer goods.................................. 212,122 210,555 209,000 0.7 0.7 1.5 217,929 210,416 217,275 204,939 2,064,968 1,973,998 4.6

 Consumer durable goods..................... 34,544 35,595 35,629 -3.0 -0.1 -5.1 37,684 36,319 37,779 34,270 352,967 312,348 13.0

 Consumer nondurable goods.............. 177,578 174,960 173,371 1.5 0.9 2.9 180,245 174,097 179,496 170,669 1,712,001 1,661,650 3.0

 All manufacturing industries5

................... 982,945 980,124 979,304 0.3 0.1 -1.7 970,132 970,400 970,768 928,844 (X) (X) 4.4

 Construction materials and supplies....... 56,139 55,754 55,647 0.7 0.2 -2.9 55,290 55,541 55,801 54,226 (X) (X) 2.0

 Information technology......................... 135,522 135,574 136,125 0.0 -0.4 0.1 134,829 135,291 134,646 129,414 (X) (X) 4.2

 Computers and related products........... 1,207 1,189 1,163 1.5 2.2 5.0 1,207 1,189 1,163 1,151 (X) (X) 4.9

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 15,982 16,124 16,431 -0.9 -1.9 -0.1 15,407 15,591 15,790 15,984 (X) (X) -3.6

 Capital goods...................................... 748,780 747,123 746,532 0.2 0.1 -1.8 740,635 740,933 739,722 701,423 (X) (X) 5.6

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 583,879 581,659 580,894 0.4 0.1 -1.9 578,529 576,644 575,474 534,360 (X) (X) 8.3

 Excluding aircraft............................. 233,949 234,999 237,836 -0.4 -1.2 -1.1 231,740 232,573 235,436 231,014 (X) (X) 0.3

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 164,901 165,464 165,638 -0.3 -0.1 -1.2 162,106 164,289 164,248 167,063 (X) (X) -3.0

 Consumer goods.................................. 4,070 4,005 3,969 1.6 0.9 1.5 3,875 3,797 3,765 3,597 (X) (X) 7.7

 Consumer durable goods..................... 4,070 4,005 3,969 1.6 0.9 1.5 3,875 3,797 3,765 3,597 (X) (X) 7.7

 All manufacturing industries................... 615,950 615,453 611,959 0.1 0.6 0.6 618,736 614,642 615,526 600,610 (X) (X) 3.0

 Construction materials and supplies....... 59,361 59,174 59,062 0.3 0.2 0.0 59,000 59,092 59,350 57,942 (X) (X) 1.8

 Information technology......................... 39,339 39,262 39,206 0.2 0.1 -0.1 39,728 38,930 39,995 39,759 (X) (X) -0.1

 Computers and related products........... 3,872 3,806 3,939 1.7 -3.4 -1.5 3,978 3,759 4,176 4,200 (X) (X) -5.3

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 25,676 25,290 25,155 1.5 0.5 0.9 25,941 25,231 25,434 24,601 (X) (X) 5.4

 Capital goods...................................... 194,357 193,808 193,524 0.3 0.1 0.9 194,668 192,435 195,898 180,710 (X) (X) 7.7

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 173,476 172,744 171,930 0.4 0.5 0.8 173,877 171,598 174,471 159,948 (X) (X) 8.7

 Excluding aircraft............................. 121,614 121,484 121,424 0.1 0.0 0.3 122,169 120,558 123,192 115,560 (X) (X) 5.7

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 20,881 21,064 21,594 -0.9 -2.5 1.4 20,791 20,837 21,427 20,762 (X) (X) 0.1

 Consumer goods.................................. 182,637 183,412 180,589 -0.4 1.6 1.2 186,409 184,677 180,637 183,155 (X) (X) 1.8

 Consumer durable goods..................... 25,613 25,340 25,324 1.1 0.1 0.3 26,094 25,460 25,784 25,275 (X) (X) 3.2

 Consumer nondurable goods................ 157,024 158,072 155,265 -0.7 1.8 1.3 160,315 159,217 154,853 157,880 (X) (X) 1.5

X Not Applicable p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjuste

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price change

2

 Topical series are regroupings of the separate industry categories

3

 Nondefense capital goods industries include: small arms and ordnance; farm machinery and equipment; construction machinery; mining, oil, and gas field machinery; industrial machine

vending, laundry, and other machinery; photographic equipment; metalworking machinery; turbines and generators; other power transmission equipment; pumps and compresso

material handling equipment; all other machinery; electronic computers; computer storage devices; other computer peripheral equipment; communications equipment; search and navigati

equipment; electromedical, measuring, and control instruments; electrical equipment; other electrical equipment, appliances, and components; heavy duty trucks; aircraft; railroad rolling stoc

ships and boats; office and institutional furniture; and medical equipment and supplie

4 Defense capital goods industries include: small arms and ordnance; communications equipment; aircraft; missiles, space vehicles, and parts; ships and boat

and search and navigation equipment.

5 Estimates and percent changes exclude semiconductor industry data

6

 Based on year-to-date for shipments and new orders, but on same month prior year for unfilled orders and inventories.

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.

NEW ORDERS 

UNFILLED ORDERS 

TOTAL INVENTORIES 
 7

Table 6. Value of Manufacturers' Inventories, by Stage of Fabrication, by Industry Group

1 

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Oct. Sept. Aug. Sept. - Aug. - July - Oct. Sept. Aug. Oct. Oct.

2012p 2012r 2012 Oct. Sept. Aug. 2012p 2012r 2012 2011 12/11

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

 All manufacturing industries....................... 203,988 204,091 203,358 -0.1 0.4 0.4 203,970 203,778 203,632 197,114 3.5

 Durable goods industries.......................... 121,565 121,273 120,817 0.2 0.4 0.5 121,535 121,204 121,544 115,466 5.3

 Wood products................................... 3,573 3,585 3,622 -0.3 -1.0 1.0 3,732 3,683 3,618 3,515 6.2

 Nonmetallic mineral products................. 4,582 4,624 4,688 -0.9 -1.4 -0.2 4,557 4,612 4,686 4,534 0.5

 Primary metals.................................... 13,231 12,929 12,833 2.3 0.7 0.7 13,328 13,019 12,881 13,460 -1.0

 Fabricated metal products........................ 16,939 16,928 16,814 0.1 0.7 0.0 16,785 16,977 16,932 16,276 3.1

 Machinery.......................................... 26,032 26,097 26,090 -0.2 0.0 0.4 26,093 26,132 26,435 23,821 9.5

 Computers and electronic products........ 17,748 17,725 17,463 0.1 1.5 1.1 17,804 17,582 17,553 16,527 7.7

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................... 6,954 6,808 6,809 2.1 0.0 -0.6 6,818 6,631 6,870 6,486 5.1

 Transportation equipment..................... 21,770 21,859 21,710 -0.4 0.7 1.4 21,699 21,876 21,698 20,207 7.4

 Furniture and related products............... 2,973 2,959 2,963 0.5 -0.1 -0.6 2,945 2,955 2,982 2,869 2.6

 Miscellaneous products......................... 7,763 7,759 7,825 0.1 -0.8 -0.4 7,774 7,737 7,889 7,771 0.0

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 82,423 82,818 82,541 -0.5 0.3 0.4 82,435 82,574 82,088 81,648 1.0

 Food products.................................... 15,593 15,511 15,252 0.5 1.7 1.9 16,275 15,329 15,045 15,326 6.2

 Beverage and tobacco products.................. 4,908 4,910 4,946 0.0 -0.7 -0.1 4,937 4,738 4,714 4,647 6.2

 Textiles.............................................. 1,189 1,179 1,187 0.8 -0.7 -0.7 1,172 1,179 1,198 1,243 -5.7

 Textile products................................... 1,492 1,480 1,484 0.8 -0.3 -0.3 1,490 1,493 1,497 1,474 1.1

 Apparel............................................. 837 805 763 4.0 5.5 1.2 843 826 773 662 27.3

 Leather and allied products.................... 266 269 271 -1.1 -0.7 6.7 268 277 279 262 2.3

 Paper products.................................... 6,918 6,959 6,979 -0.6 -0.3 -1.3 6,918 6,970 6,986 7,033 -1.6

 Printing ............................................. 2,430 2,432 2,479 -0.1 -1.9 -0.8 2,480 2,476 2,518 2,629 -5.7

 Petroleum and coal products................. 17,394 18,148 17,866 -4.2 1.6 2.1 17,114 18,255 17,608 16,478 3.9

 Chemical products................................ 22,668 22,469 22,718 0.9 -1.1 -1.1 22,384 22,403 22,820 23,405 -4.4

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 8,728 8,656 8,596 0.8 0.7 0.2 8,554 8,628 8,650 8,489 0.8

WORK IN PROCESS

 All manufacturing industries....................... 190,256 190,714 188,931 -0.2 0.9 0.7 192,061 188,852 189,508 185,143 3.7

 Durable goods industries.......................... 144,754 144,375 144,197 0.3 0.1 0.6 144,939 143,469 145,861 137,260 5.6

 Wood products................................... 1,542 1,548 1,514 -0.4 2.2 -1.2 1,552 1,547 1,507 1,486 4.4

 Nonmetallic mineral products................. 1,395 1,390 1,384 0.4 0.4 1.2 1,335 1,365 1,368 1,238 7.8

 Primary metals.................................... 10,988 10,932 10,964 0.5 -0.3 -1.3 10,804 10,898 11,253 11,129 -2.9

 Fabricated metal products........................ 13,587 13,472 13,546 0.9 -0.5 0.4 13,700 13,522 13,723 12,866 6.5

 Machinery.......................................... 16,538 16,546 16,676 0.0 -0.8 -0.4 16,732 16,364 16,877 16,246 3.0

 Computers and electronic products........ 15,536 15,984 15,893 -2.8 0.6 -1.1 15,659 15,787 16,126 17,587 -11.0

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................... 3,678 3,667 3,584 0.3 2.3 0.5 3,640 3,579 3,643 3,491 4.3

 Transportation equipment..................... 77,074 76,429 76,236 0.8 0.3 1.6 77,059 75,984 76,913 68,993 11.7

 Furniture and related products............... 1,040 1,036 1,022 0.4 1.4 -1.4 1,030 1,035 1,028 977 5.4

 Miscellaneous products......................... 3,376 3,371 3,378 0.1 -0.2 -0.7 3,428 3,388 3,423 3,247 5.6

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 45,502 46,339 44,734 -1.8 3.6 1.1 47,122 45,383 43,647 47,883 -1.6

 Food products.................................... 4,055 4,020 4,164 0.9 -3.5 1.5 5,092 3,632 3,712 4,763 6.9

 Beverage and tobacco products.................. 6,276 6,068 5,922 3.4 2.5 0.7 6,773 5,823 5,322 6,272 8.0

 Textiles.............................................. 774 776 772 -0.3 0.5 1.7 777 785 782 827 -6.0

 Textile products................................... 416 418 414 -0.5 1.0 -1.7 415 422 416 446 -7.0

 Apparel............................................. 390 393 389 -0.8 1.0 1.3 388 408 415 362 7.2

 Leather and allied products.................... 114 115 112 -0.9 2.7 -9.7 111 111 108 120 -7.5

 Paper products.................................... 1,285 1,269 1,248 1.3 1.7 -0.1 1,272 1,269 1,265 1,361 -6.5

 Printing ............................................. 1,191 1,199 1,243 -0.7 -3.5 0.6 1,296 1,245 1,342 1,406 -7.8

 Petroleum and coal products................. 13,934 14,550 13,275 -4.2 9.6 5.3 13,877 14,304 13,072 14,428 -3.8

 Chemical products................................ 14,782 15,243 14,896 -3.0 2.3 -1.7 14,858 15,096 14,915 15,734 -5.6

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 2,285 2,288 2,299 -0.1 -0.5 -1.8 2,263 2,288 2,298 2,164 4.6

FINISHED GOODS

 All manufacturing industries....................... 221,706 220,648 219,670 0.5 0.4 0.8 222,705 222,012 222,386 218,353 2.0

 Durable goods industries.......................... 108,154 107,172 106,938 0.9 0.2 0.6 108,019 106,361 108,258 103,008 4.9

 Wood products................................... 3,966 3,925 3,837 1.0 2.3 0.8 3,893 3,874 3,799 3,755 3.7

 Nonmetallic mineral products................. 5,707 5,628 5,620 1.4 0.1 1.1 5,469 5,478 5,504 5,265 3.9

 Primary metals.................................... 10,467 10,424 10,308 0.4 1.1 0.6 10,196 10,413 10,209 10,243 -0.5

 Fabricated metal products........................ 15,723 15,669 15,606 0.3 0.4 0.1 15,515 15,473 15,608 15,794 -1.8

 Machinery.......................................... 24,326 24,347 24,231 -0.1 0.5 1.6 23,856 23,873 24,240 21,325 11.9

 Computers and electronic products........ 13,128 12,866 13,147 2.0 -2.1 0.3 13,376 12,845 13,672 12,062 10.9

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................... 5,103 5,079 5,042 0.5 0.7 -0.1 5,200 5,038 5,137 5,071 2.5

 Transportation equipment..................... 14,926 14,407 14,244 3.6 1.1 1.0 15,347 14,385 14,921 14,014 9.5

 Furniture and related products............... 2,202 2,178 2,175 1.1 0.1 0.8 2,221 2,195 2,253 2,144 3.6

 Miscellaneous products......................... 12,606 12,649 12,728 -0.3 -0.6 -0.6 12,946 12,787 12,915 13,335 -2.9

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 113,552 113,476 112,732 0.1 0.7 0.9 114,686 115,651 114,128 115,345 -0.6

 Food products.................................... 26,329 25,960 25,738 1.4 0.9 0.0 27,550 27,155 26,681 27,414 0.5

 Beverage and tobacco products.................. 7,801 7,750 7,598 0.7 2.0 -1.1 7,989 7,979 7,759 7,428 7.6

 Textiles.............................................. 1,423 1,422 1,424 0.1 -0.1 -0.7 1,418 1,410 1,406 1,459 -2.8

 Textile products................................... 1,246 1,255 1,244 -0.7 0.9 -0.8 1,244 1,260 1,257 1,303 -4.5

 Apparel............................................. 1,181 1,187 1,195 -0.5 -0.7 1.4 1,247 1,314 1,303 1,266 -1.5

 Leather and allied products.................... 471 469 463 0.4 1.3 1.1 471 475 482 419 12.4

 Paper products.................................... 5,776 5,786 5,902 -0.2 -2.0 -0.5 5,734 5,788 5,890 5,931 -3.3

 Printing ............................................. 1,625 1,634 1,636 -0.6 -0.1 -0.1 1,649 1,632 1,640 1,571 5.0

 Petroleum and coal products................. 22,987 22,891 22,525 0.4 1.6 4.4 22,854 23,543 22,524 21,814 4.8

 Chemical products................................ 34,072 34,560 34,540 -1.4 0.1 0.4 33,944 34,570 34,746 36,178 -6.2

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 10,641 10,562 10,467 0.7 0.9 0.2 10,586 10,525 10,440 10,562 0.2

p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted 

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price changes.

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revisions.
 8

Table 7. Ratios of Manufacturers' Inventories to Shipments and Unfilled Orders 

 to Shipments, by Industry Group3

[Based on Seasonally Adjusted data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Inventory/Shipments ratio Unfilled Orders/Shipments ratio1

Industry Oct Sep Aug Jul Oct Sep Aug Jul

2012p 2012r 2012 2012 2012p 2012r 2012 2012

All manufacturing industries 2

............................ 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.27 (X) (X) (X) (X)

Durable goods industries2

.................................. 1.68 1.67 1.67 1.61 6.25 6.24 6.28 6.23

 Wood products.............................................. 1.43 1.46 1.44 1.46 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Nonmetallic mineral products......................... 1.43 1.43 1.44 1.44 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Primary metals.............................................. 1.24 1.21 1.22 1.21 1.14 1.11 1.13 1.17

 Fabricated metal products.............................. 1.70 1.69 1.69 1.69 3.16 3.16 3.16 3.16

 Machinery..................................................... 2.06 2.08 2.06 2.03 4.18 4.24 4.28 4.42

 Computers and electronic products 2

................ 1.66 1.66 1.69 1.63 7.50 7.46 7.67 7.56

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components........................................ 1.60 1.59 1.56 1.55 2.35 2.36 2.38 2.36

 Transportation equipment.............................. 1.78 1.75 1.76 1.59 14.44 14.47 14.66 13.79

 Furniture and related products........................ 1.14 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.38 1.38 1.37 1.38

 Miscellaneous products.................................. 1.75 1.72 1.74 1.77 (X) (X) (X) (X)

Nondurable goods industries............................. 0.93 0.94 0.94 0.96 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Food products.............................................. 0.75 0.75 0.74 0.74 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Beverage and tobacco products...................... 1.50 1.52 1.43 1.46 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Textiles........................................................ 1.36 1.37 1.37 1.37 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Textile products............................................ 1.59 1.61 1.58 1.62 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Apparel......................................................... 1.82 1.87 1.80 1.79 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Leather and allied products............................. 1.86 1.95 1.92 1.87 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Paper products.............................................. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Printing......................................................... 0.78 0.79 0.80 0.81 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Petroleum and coal products........................... 0.69 0.72 0.72 0.74 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Chemical products......................................... 1.14 1.16 1.16 1.17 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Plastics and rubber products........................... 1.24 1.24 1.24 1.24 (X) (X) (X) (X)

X Not Applicable p

 Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Excludes the following industries with no unfilled orders: Wood products; nonmetallic mineral products; 

medical equipment and supplies; office supplies; other miscellaneous manufacturing; cutlery and handtools;

farm and garden machinery; computer storage and peripheral devices; audio and video equipment; manufacturing

and reproducing magnetic and optical media; batteries; automobiles; light trucks and utility vehicles; heavy duty

trucks; and miscellaneous furniture.

2 Unfilled orders to shipments ratio excludes semiconductor manufacturing.

Oct2 Oct2 Oct2 Oct2

Industry 2011- 2011- 2011- 2011-

Oct1 Sep Oct1 Sep Oct1 Sep Oct1 Sep

2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012

 

All manufacturing industries.................. (X) 0.2 (X) 0.3 (X) 0.1 (X) 0.1

Durable goods industries....................... 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

 Wood products................................... (X) 0.7 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

 Nonmetallic mineral products.............. (X) 0.7 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Primary metals.................................... 0.1 0.8 -0.1 1.4 -0.2 0.6 0.1 0.5

 Fabricated metal products.................... 0.0 0.3 -0.3 0.7 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2

 Machinery.......................................... 0.6 0.8 1.7 1.2 0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.2

 Computers and electronic products..... -0.3 0.8 -0.4 1.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................. 0.5 0.4 0.7 1.1 0.1 0.5 0.8 0.4

 Transportation equipment.................... 0.3 0.3 0.8 1.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2

 Furniture and related products............. (X) 0.4 (X) 0.7 (X) 0.6 (X) 0.4

 Miscellaneous products...................... (X) 0.7 (X) 0.7 (X) 0.5 (X) 0.4

Nondurable goods industries................... (X) 0.4 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.1

 Food products................................... (X) 0.1 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Beverage and tobacco products............ (X) 0.8 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

 Textiles............................................. (X) 0.4 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

 Textile products.................................. (X) 0.6 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

 Apparel.............................................. (X) 1.2 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.7

 Leather and allied products.................... (X) 0.8 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.6

 Paper products.................................... (X) 0.2 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Printing.............................................. (X) 0.8 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.6

 Petroleum and coal products................. (X) 1.1 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.5

 Chemical products................................ (X) 0.5 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Plastics and rubber products................. (X) 0.4 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

X Not Applicable NA Not Available

1

 The current month revisions are the difference between the advance percent change and the percent change as shown in this

 publication.

2

 The twelve month revisions are the differences between the month-to-month percent changes of the preliminary and

final estimates. The monthly averages are the simple averages of the absolute values of the differences for the months specified. 

The advance to final percent change revisions for the durable goods industries are shown in the advance report for the month.

3

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories 

are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar 

reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences, where appropriate, 

as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted 

for price changes.

Table 8. Revisions to Previously Published Monthly Percent Changes3

[Based on Seasonally Adjusted data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Shipments New Orders Unfilled Orders Inventories
9 

Survey Description 

This report is compiled from results of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, 

and Orders (M3) survey. This survey provides statistics on manufacturers' value of shipments, new 

orders (net of cancellations), end-of-month order backlog (unfilled orders), end-of-month total inventory 

(at current cost or market value), and inventories by stage of fabrication (materials and supplies, work-inprocess, and finished goods). The M3 includes approximately 4,300 reporting units. Units may be 

divisions of diversified large companies, large homogenous companies, or single-unit manufacturers in 89 

industry categories. Due to the small monthly sample, these 89 categories have been combined into 65 

publication levels. The survey methodology assumes that the month-to-month changes of the total 

operations of those companies in the monthly survey effectively represent the month-to-month 

movements of all establishments that make up the category. The current coverage levels in the survey 

show that reported data in the monthly survey represent approximately 60 percent of the shipments 

estimates at the total manufacturing level. Data published represent manufacturing in a calendar month. 

The data collection is based on a voluntary survey authorized by Title 13 of the United States Code. 

The data presented in this release are based on data obtained from a panel of 4,300 reporting units and 

provide an indication of the activity within the manufacturing sector. The results differ from what would 

be obtained from a complete enumeration of all manufacturing companies. In addition, a different panel 

of 4,300 companies would yield different results. The M3 panel is comprised of companies with $500 

million or more in shipments and a limited number of smaller companies. From a statistical perspective, 

the panel is not a probability sample; therefore, the sampling errors that are normally provided with 

sample surveys cannot be measured. Nonsampling errors are attributable to many sources. The use of 

company or divisional reports to estimate the monthly change for establishments is one source of 

nonsampling error. The use of primarily large companies to represent the month-to-month movement of 

all companies is another potential source. Any corrections will be published in the full report. 

Corrections received after the full report will be released in the next month’s advance report. Any 

revisions made later than two months will be reflected in the annual benchmark publication. 

Additional survey documentation can be found on our web site: http://www.census.gov/m3. 

2013 Release Dates for the M3 Survey 

Survey month Advance Report 

(8:30 a.m. release time) 

Full Report 

(10:00 a.m. release time) 

October 2012 November 27, 2012 December 5, 2012 

November 2012 December 24, 2012 January 4, 2013 

December 2012 January 28, 2013 February 4, 2013 

January 2013 February 27, 2013 March 6, 2013 

February 2013 March 26, 2013 April 2, 2013 

March 2013 April 24, 2013 May 3, 2013 

April 2013 May 24, 2013 June 5, 2013 

May 2013 June 25, 2013 July 2, 2013 

June 2013 July 25, 2013 August 2, 2013 

July 2013 August 26, 2013 September 5, 2013 

August 2013 September 25, 2013 October 3, 2013 

September 2013 October 25, 2013 November 4, 2013 

October 2013 November 27, 2013 December 5, 2013 

November 2013 December 24, 2013 Not available at this time