Manufacturers' Shipments,

 Inventories, and Orders: April 2004 Issued June 2004

 M3-1(04)-04

 For Wire Transmission 10:00 a.m. E.D.T., June 3, 2004 Current 

 Industrial

 Reports

For data, call 301-763-4673. For inquiries, contact Chris Savage or Patrick Kent, Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders Branch, Manufacturing and 

Construction Divison (MCD), Washington, DC 20233-6900 or call 301-763-4832.

The advance report on durable goods for May is scheduled for June 24, 2004 at 8:30 a.m. and the full report on July 2, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 20402 

Our Internet address is : http://www.census.gov/m3

Total Manufacturing Shipments

and Three Month Moving Average

300

320

340

360

380

Apr-02

Jun-02

Aug-02

Oct-02

Dec-02

Feb-03Apr-03

Jun-03

Aug-03

Oct-03

Dec-03

Feb-04Apr-04

300

320

340

360

380

 Shipments Average

Billions Of Dollars

Total Manufacturing Inventories

and Three Month Moving Average

420

440

460

480

500

Apr-02

Jun-02

Aug-02

Oct-02

Dec-02

Feb-03Apr-03

Jun-03

Aug-03

Oct-03

Dec-03

Feb-04Apr-04

420

440

460

480

500

 Inventories Average

Billions Of Dollars
 2

Figures in text, other than year-to-date, are in seasonally adjusted current dollars. Figures on new and unfilled orders exclude data

for semiconductor manufacturing.

Summary

New orders for manufactured goods in April decreased

$6.3 billion or 1.7 percent to $356.9 billion, the

Department of Commerce, Census Bureau reported today. 

This followed a 5.0 percent March increase.

Shipments, down three of the last four months,

decreased $1.7 billion or 0.5 percent to $361.2 billion. 

This followed a 4.2 percent March increase. 

Unfilled orders, up eight of the last nine months,

increased $2.7 billion or 0.5 percent to $520.3 billion. 

This followed a 1.4 percent March increase. The unfilled

orders-to-shipments ratio was 3.95, up from 3.90 in

March.

Inventories, up five consecutive months, increased

$1.6 billion or 0.4 percent to $446.2 billion. This

followed a 0.4 percent March increase. The inventoriesto-shipments ratio was 1.24, up from 1.22 in March.

New Orders

New orders for manufactured durable goods in April

decreased $6.4 billion or 3.2 percent to $191.0 billion,

revised from the previously published $5.7 billion

decrease.

Transportation equipment, down following two

consecutive increases, had the largest decrease, $2.7

billion or 4.8 percent to $54.5 billion. Computers and

electronic products, down following four consecutive

increases, decreased $1.4 billion or 4.2 percent to $31.7

billion, due to electromedical, measuring, and control

instruments. 

New orders for manufactured nondurable goods,

increased $0.1 billion to $165.9 billion.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in April,

down following two consecutive increases, decreased

$1.8 billion or 0.9 percent to $195.3 billion, revised from

the previously published $1.7 billion decrease.

Transportation equipment had the largest decrease,

$2.2 billion or 3.9 percent to $54.0 billion. 

Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up

seven of the last eight months, increased $0.1 billion to

$165.9 billion. Food products had the largest increase,

$0.9 billion or 2.3 percent to $39.9 billion and was at

the highest level since the series began in 1992. 

 

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders of manufactured durable goods in

April, up eight of the last nine months, increased $2.7

billion or 0.5 percent to $520.3 billion, revised from the

previously published $3.0 billion increase.

Fabricated metal products, up nine consecutive

months, had the largest increase, $1.3 billion or 3.0

percent to $44.2 billion.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in April,

up five consecutive months, increased $1.2 billion or

0.5 percent to $266.8 billion, revised from the

previously published $1.3 billion increase.

Computers and electronic products, up four of the

last seven months, had the largest increase, $0.4 billion

or 0.8 percent to $47.6 billion.

Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up

four consecutive months, increased $0.4 billion or 0.2

percent to $179.4 billion. Basic chemicals, up four

consecutive months, had the largest increase, $0.3

billion or 0.6 percent to $55.3 billion. Basic chemicals

was at the highest level since the series began.

By stage of fabrication, April materials and supplies

increased 1.5 percent in durable goods and 0.2 percent

in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 0.3

percent in durable goods and 0.7 percent in nondurable

goods. Finished goods decreased 0.4 percent in durable

goods and increased 0.1 percent in nondurable goods.

SEE BACK PAGE FOR SURVEY DESCRIPTION

Our internet address is: http://www.census.gov/m3

For data, call 301-763-4673. For inquiries, contact Chris Savage or Patrick Kent, Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Branch,

Manufacturing and Construction Division (MCD), Washington, DC 20233-6900, or call 301-763-4832.

The advance report on durable goods for May is scheduled for June 24, 2004 at 8:30 A.M. EDT and the full report on July 2, 2004 at 10:00

A.M. EDT. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
 3 

Table 1. Value of Manufacturers' Shipments for Industry Groups

[Millions of Dollars]

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted 1

Monthly Percent Change Monthly

Industry Percent

Apr. Mar. Feb. Mar. - Feb. - Jan. - Apr. Mar. Feb. Apr. 2004/

2004p 2004r 2004 Apr. Mar. Feb. 2004p 2004r 2004 2003 2004p 2003 2003

 All manufacturing industries .................. 361,200 362,925 348,157 -0.5 4.2 -0.1 359,559 390,300 339,222 319,294 1,407,515 1,281,058 9.9

 Excluding transportation ................... 307,247 306,761 292,726 0.2 4.8 -1.4 305,307 325,886 282,947 270,042 1,186,076 1,076,735 10.2

 Excluding defense .............................. 351,792 353,069 337,313 -0.4 4.7 -0.5 350,571 379,535 328,638 311,011 1,369,412 1,248,025 9.7

 With unfilled orders ........................... 131,738 132,873 127,525 -0.9 4.2 0.4 130,262 146,469 124,287 115,746 514,019 466,767 10.1

 Durable goods industries ........................ 195,332 197,139 188,798 -0.9 4.4 1.4 193,329 218,053 184,081 170,450 761,633 686,995 10.9

 Wood products................................. ...... 9,505 9,112 8,431 4.3 8.1 3.0 9,700 9,126 7,743 7,441 33,551 27,304 22.9

 Nonmetallic mineral products................... 7,783 7,804 7,055 -0.3 10.6 -1.1 7,925 7,667 6,409 7,245 28,359 27,174 4.4

 Primary metals............................ .......... 13,057 13,314 12,051 -1.9 10.5 2.0 13,668 14,270 12,276 11,215 51,762 44,807 15.5

 Iron and steel mills............................ 5,960 5,882 5,264 1.3 11.7 0.3 6,242 6,366 5,406 5,246 23,124 20,735 11.5

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals......... 5,586 5,866 5,422 -4.8 8.2 3.7 5,843 6,209 5,475 4,650 22,709 18,878 20.3

 Ferrous metal foundries...................... 1,511 1,566 1,365 -3.5 14.7 2.2 1,583 1,695 1,395 1,319 5,929 5,194 14.2

 Fabricated metal products...................... 22,651 22,771 20,553 -0.5 10.8 -1.8 22,618 23,793 20,299 20,168 85,936 80,149 7.2

 Machinery............................................. 23,944 23,917 22,530 0.1 6.2 -0.5 25,221 27,286 21,326 21,404 93,705 82,627 13.4

 Farm machinery................................. 1,737 1,645 1,530 5.6 7.5 1.5 2,187 2,119 1,664 1,707 7,331 6,305 16.3

 Construction machinery..................... 2,227 2,159 2,121 3.1 1.8 0.0 2,525 2,659 2,116 1,905 9,133 6,740 35.5

 Mining, oil field, and 

 gas field machinery......................... 807 801 740 0.7 8.2 -4.9 782 889 739 687 3,150 2,741 14.9

 Industrial machinery.......................... 3,275 3,485 3,022 -6.0 15.3 3.6 3,385 4,019 2,703 2,759 12,758 11,168 14.2

 Photographic equipment...................... 956 917 889 4.3 3.1 -1.1 879 963 784 720 3,362 2,880 16.7

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............ 2,768 2,770 2,622 -0.1 5.6 1.6 2,718 3,038 2,292 2,362 10,210 9,273 10.1

 Metalworking machinery..................... 1,948 2,034 1,927 -4.2 5.6 -8.5 1,807 2,174 1,658 1,635 7,312 6,668 9.7

 Turbines, generators, and other

 power transmission equipment....... 3,099 3,073 2,929 0.8 4.9 -2.4 3,149 3,377 2,879 2,716 12,047 10,547 14.2

 Material handling equipment............... 1,469 1,521 1,387 -3.4 9.7 -1.2 1,505 1,766 1,344 1,309 5,989 5,341 12.1

 Computers and electronic products ......... 38,286 37,836 37,192 1.2 1.7 -1.9 34,655 43,078 34,872 29,941 145,033 125,064 16.0

 Computers........................................ 5,924 5,207 5,291 13.8 -1.6 -7.0 5,472 5,620 4,441 4,389 20,968 16,811 24.7

 Computer storage devices................... 1,253 1,501 1,294 -16.5 16.0 10.2 850 2,339 902 862 4,892 4,161 17.6

 Other peripheral equipment................ 1,583 1,558 1,582 1.6 -1.5 3.2 1,288 1,922 1,337 1,180 5,655 5,252 7.7

 Nondefense communications

 equipment.................................... 6,523 6,241 6,199 4.5 0.7 -4.6 5,843 7,349 5,648 4,694 24,039 20,904 15.0

 Defense communications equipment... 490 480 498 2.1 -3.6 -15.2 481 521 479 418 2,014 1,558 29.3

 Audio and video equipment.................. 710 663 610 7.1 8.7 -7.9 572 664 562 534 2,364 2,414 -2.1

 Semiconductors ................................. 7,022 6,829 6,730 2.8 1.5 3.6 6,530 7,281 6,885 5,302 26,657 22,133 20.4

 Electronic components........................ 4,445 4,352 4,371 2.1 -0.4 -4.0 4,081 4,458 4,335 3,742 16,839 15,571 8.1

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment..................................... 900 919 867 -2.1 6.0 -2.0 829 992 842 841 3,412 3,159 8.0

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment..................................... 2,562 2,458 2,556 4.2 -3.8 2.7 2,545 2,732 2,560 2,385 9,881 9,048 9.2

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments................. 6,299 7,064 6,676 -10.8 5.8 -1.8 5,674 8,595 6,391 5,163 26,234 22,238 18.0

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 8,666 8,630 8,457 0.4 2.0 -1.0 8,394 9,447 8,023 8,076 33,217 32,327 2.8

 Electric lighting equipment................... 1,099 1,110 1,050 -1.0 5.7 2.3 1,028 1,223 1,040 950 4,183 4,055 3.2

 Household appliances........................ 1,945 1,945 1,955 0.0 -0.5 -0.9 1,907 2,132 1,847 1,913 7,490 7,268 3.1

 Electrical equipment............................ 2,551 2,562 2,534 -0.4 1.1 0.7 2,388 2,942 2,343 2,297 9,801 9,516 3.0

 Batteries........................................... 482 488 488 -1.2 0.0 -7.0 433 487 411 420 1,761 1,656 6.3

 Transportation equipment...................... 53,953 56,164 55,431 -3.9 1.3 7.6 54,252 64,414 56,275 49,252 221,439 204,323 8.4

 Automobiles..................................... 7,682 7,978 7,762 -3.7 2.8 8.2 7,777 9,369 7,989 6,932 31,965 29,374 8.8

 Light trucks and utility vehicles............ 11,713 12,273 11,996 -4.6 2.3 12.5 11,746 14,721 12,395 9,916 48,968 43,044 13.8

 Heavy duty trucks ............................. 1,192 1,169 1,130 2.0 3.5 -3.0 1,236 1,222 1,075 1,077 4,580 4,041 13.3

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers.................................... 18,450 19,001 17,990 -2.9 5.6 0.2 19,698 21,091 18,715 18,395 76,483 73,435 4.2

 Nondefense aircraft and parts.............. 5,431 5,880 5,637 -7.6 4.3 8.4 4,832 7,219 5,610 4,794 21,582 21,303 1.3

 Defense aircraft and parts.................. 3,509 3,958 4,868 -11.3 -18.7 38.0 3,250 4,232 4,467 2,882 14,859 11,898 24.9

 Ships and boats................................. 2,386 2,337 2,216 2.1 5.5 0.9 2,468 2,549 2,357 1,999 9,112 8,015 13.7

 Furniture and related products................. 6,138 5,940 5,929 3.3 0.2 -4.0 6,059 6,159 6,110 5,478 24,209 22,339 8.4

 Miscellaneous durable goods................. 11,349 11,651 11,169 -2.6 4.3 -0.8 10,837 12,813 10,748 10,230 44,422 40,881 8.7

 Nondurable goods industries................... 165,868 165,786 159,359 0.0 4.0 -1.8 166,230 172,247 155,141 148,844 645,882 594,063 8.7

 Food products....................................... 39,945 39,063 38,103 2.3 2.5 -1.4 38,979 39,814 37,536 36,887 153,069 147,312 3.9

 Grain and oilseed milling..................... 3,473 3,492 3,276 -0.5 6.6 -5.4 3,332 3,577 3,431 3,910 13,756 15,968 -13.9

 Dairy products.................................. 6,555 6,382 5,788 2.7 10.3 0.5 6,479 6,509 5,450 5,195 24,000 20,357 17.9

 Meat, poultry, and seafood products... 11,415 10,811 11,051 5.6 -2.2 -1.9 11,304 10,554 11,201 10,763 43,765 43,021 1.7

 Beverage and tobacco products............... 8,930 9,288 8,485 -3.9 9.5 -0.5 8,953 9,373 8,000 8,826 34,154 33,771 1.1

 Beverages......................................... 5,816 5,824 5,724 -0.1 1.7 -4.0 5,839 5,909 5,239 5,744 22,251 21,589 3.1

 Tobacco............................................ 3,114 3,464 2,761 -10.1 25.5 7.7 3,114 3,464 2,761 3,082 11,903 12,182 -2.3

 Textile mills........................................... 3,405 3,392 3,378 0.4 0.4 -1.0 3,445 3,593 3,440 3,194 13,556 13,347 1.6

 Textile products................................... 3,101 3,165 3,192 -2.0 -0.8 -3.2 3,166 3,278 3,159 2,904 12,445 11,005 13.1

 Apparel................................................ 4,751 4,715 4,601 0.8 2.5 0.7 4,466 4,873 4,663 3,946 18,165 16,991 6.9

 Leather and allied products..................... 878 879 879 -0.1 0.0 2.1 812 881 917 861 3,350 3,544 -5.5

 Paper products...................................... 14,013 13,868 13,462 1.0 3.0 -4.5 13,827 14,264 13,408 13,065 55,144 52,018 6.0

 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills....... 5,861 5,830 5,710 0.5 2.1 -1.1 5,787 6,048 5,705 5,731 23,204 23,124 0.3

 Paperboard containers........................ 3,769 3,654 3,548 3.1 3.0 -4.2 3,818 3,747 3,475 3,682 14,586 14,459 0.9

 Printing................................................. 7,783 7,899 7,794 -1.5 1.3 -0.3 7,603 8,157 7,382 7,945 30,409 31,332 -2.9

 Petroleum and coal products.................. 25,111 25,974 24,416 -3.3 6.4 -2.5 26,016 25,371 22,738 18,087 96,847 75,730 27.9

 Petroleum refineries.......................... 23,004 23,988 22,506 -4.1 6.6 -2.3 23,934 23,479 21,167 16,416 89,854 70,022 28.3

 Basic chemicals...................................... 41,251 40,969 39,338 0.7 4.1 -1.5 41,664 44,795 38,491 37,541 163,065 148,520 9.8

 Pesticides, fertilizers, and other

 agricultural chemicals..................... 1,584 1,634 1,623 -3.1 0.7 2.0 2,474 2,425 1,521 2,292 7,807 7,062 10.5

 Pharmaceuticals and medicines............ 9,548 9,455 9,266 1.0 2.0 -2.0 9,180 10,059 8,944 9,418 37,586 38,670 -2.8

 Paints, coatings, and adhesives.......... 2,663 2,830 2,348 -5.9 20.5 2.2 2,804 2,896 2,273 2,467 10,036 9,176 9.4

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 16,700 16,574 15,711 0.8 5.5 -2.9 17,299 17,848 15,407 15,588 65,678 60,493 8.6

p Preliminary r

 Revised NA Not available.

1

 Shipments are the totals for the period and are adjusted for trading-day and calendar-month variations.

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

Year to date
 4

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

[Millions of Dollars]

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted 1

Monthly Percent Change Monthly

Industry Percent

Apr. Mar. Feb. Mar. - Feb. - Jan. - Apr. Mar. Feb. Apr. 2004/

2004p 2004r 2004 Apr. Mar. Feb. 2004p 2004r 2004 2003 2004p 2003 2003

All manufacturing industries 2................... 356,851 363,146 345,778 -1.7 5.0 1.1 356,332 392,335 339,213 314,973 1,407,738 1,271,635 10.7

 Excluding transportation 2

................... 302,331 305,899 290,789 -1.2 5.2 -0.5 302,231 324,956 283,575 264,747 1,182,501 1,061,905 11.4

 Excluding defense 2

............................. 347,347 352,540 334,481 -1.5 5.4 0.7 346,952 378,090 327,972 304,658 1,362,406 1,228,866 10.9

 With unfilled orders 2

.......................... 134,411 139,923 131,876 -3.9 6.1 3.9 133,565 155,785 131,163 116,727 540,899 479,477 12.8

 Durable goods industries 2........................ 190,983 197,360 186,419 -3.2 5.9 3.9 190,102 220,088 184,072 166,129 761,856 677,572 12.4

 Primary metals............................ ............ 13,015 13,946 12,753 -6.7 9.4 4.8 13,415 15,150 13,514 10,993 54,566 44,843 21.7

 Iron and steel mills.............................. 6,027 6,275 5,560 -4.0 12.9 4.6 6,134 6,909 6,081 5,078 24,536 20,501 19.7

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals......... 5,498 6,069 5,756 -9.4 5.4 5.1 5,745 6,512 5,924 4,605 23,867 19,044 25.3

 Ferrous metal foundries...................... 1,490 1,602 1,437 -7.0 11.5 4.1 1,536 1,729 1,509 1,310 6,163 5,298 16.3

 Fabricated metal products...................... 23,942 24,228 21,925 -1.2 10.5 -0.6 24,059 25,398 21,985 19,755 92,507 79,729 16.0

 Machinery............................................. 23,953 25,216 23,903 -5.0 5.5 4.2 25,736 28,771 23,155 21,363 99,045 83,891 18.1

 Construction machinery....................... 2,319 2,420 3,136 -4.2 -22.8 40.1 2,781 2,992 3,171 2,013 11,100 6,899 60.9

 Mining, oil field, and

 gas field machinery......................... 881 906 861 -2.8 5.2 8.6 856 994 860 675 3,465 2,656 30.5

 Industrial machinery............................ 3,021 3,518 3,098 -14.1 13.6 -2.9 3,301 4,016 2,894 2,732 13,579 12,108 12.1

 Photographic equipment...................... 969 949 931 2.1 1.9 2.1 905 1,014 836 734 3,509 3,052 15.0

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............ 2,866 2,851 2,751 0.5 3.6 12.6 2,968 3,131 2,471 2,550 10,767 9,687 11.1

 Metalworking machinery....................... 2,063 2,202 1,978 -6.3 11.3 -9.9 1,900 2,342 1,745 1,577 7,840 6,657 17.8

 Turbines, generators, and other 

 power transmission equipment.......... 2,949 3,734 2,863 -21.0 30.4 -3.1 3,038 3,910 2,781 2,369 12,457 9,173 35.8

 Material handling equipment............... 1,505 1,459 1,350 3.2 8.1 -2.4 1,511 1,797 1,415 1,320 6,049 5,549 9.0

 Computers and electronic products 2...... 31,686 33,062 31,702 -4.2 4.3 1.6 29,197 37,784 30,433 25,131 124,763 108,303 15.2

 Computers........................................ 5,540 4,959 5,228 11.7 -5.1 0.2 4,871 5,370 4,594 4,165 19,594 16,494 18.8

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 7,198 6,097 6,565 18.1 -7.1 6.4 7,138 7,229 6,624 5,971 26,319 26,199 0.5

 Defense communications equipment... 452 464 571 -2.6 -18.7 -16.5 443 505 552 382 2,130 1,731 23.1

 Semiconductors 2................................ (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA)

 Electronic components........................ 4,534 4,677 4,791 -3.1 -2.4 4.5 4,249 4,535 4,786 2,721 17,895 13,560 32.0

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment..................................... 960 952 773 0.8 23.2 -7.0 874 1,070 787 778 3,510 3,243 8.2

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 2,732 2,784 3,168 -1.9 -12.1 -2.3 2,728 3,486 3,374 2,943 12,536 10,618 18.1

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments.................... 6,149 8,843 6,602 -30.5 33.9 0.7 5,694 10,059 6,425 5,164 27,790 22,816 21.8

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 9,265 8,958 8,826 3.4 1.5 3.1 9,057 9,643 8,662 8,057 34,889 32,630 6.9

 Electric lighting equipment................... 1,355 1,186 1,113 14.2 6.6 14.3 1,286 1,292 1,107 863 4,538 4,046 12.2

 Household appliances.......................... 1,998 2,035 1,952 -1.8 4.3 4.5 1,951 2,187 1,854 2,172 7,561 7,591 -0.4

 Electrical equipment............................ 2,829 2,626 2,552 7.7 2.9 -2.0 2,758 2,924 2,515 2,363 10,449 9,779 6.9

 Transportation equipment........................ 54,520 57,247 54,989 -4.8 4.1 11.0 54,101 67,379 55,638 50,226 225,237 209,730 7.4

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers..................................... 18,675 19,149 18,298 -2.5 4.7 2.0 19,694 21,168 19,188 18,185 77,454 73,751 5.0

 Nondefense aircraft and parts.............. 5,769 6,387 5,501 -9.7 16.1 33.7 4,408 7,413 5,125 4,154 20,716 16,969 22.1

 Defense aircraft and parts................... 2,394 2,541 3,622 -5.8 -29.8 49.9 2,547 4,205 3,388 4,685 13,131 16,777 -21.7

 Ships and boats.................................. 2,011 1,983 2,642 1.4 -24.9 5.8 1,963 2,064 2,771 1,725 9,708 7,216 34.5

 Furniture and related products................. 6,210 6,113 6,025 1.6 1.5 -3.9 6,320 6,334 6,144 5,789 24,922 22,678 9.9

 Nondurable goods industries.................. 165,868 165,786 159,359 0.0 4.0 -1.8 166,230 172,247 155,141 148,844 645,882 594,063 8.7

p

 Preliminary r Revised NA Not available.

1

 New orders are the totals for the period and are adjusted for trading-day and calendar-month variations. 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. Further details on survey design, methodology, and data limitations are contained in our most recent annual benchmark publication,

Current Industrial Reports: M3-1(02), "Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders: 1992-2002."

Year to date
 5 

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

[Millions of Dollars]

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Apr. Mar. Feb. Mar. - Feb. - Jan. - Apr. Mar. Feb. Apr. Apr.

2004p 2004r 2004 Apr. Mar. Feb. 2004p 2004r 2004 2003 04/03

All manufacturing industries 1................... 520,258 517,585 510,535 0.5 1.4 0.9 529,296 525,993 516,677 493,389 7.3

 Excluding transportation 1................... 269,106 267,000 261,033 0.8 2.3 1.9 274,217 270,763 264,412 243,566 12.6

 Excluding defense 1

............................. 359,868 357,291 350,991 0.7 1.8 1.1 364,110 361,199 355,363 339,108 7.4

 Durable goods industries 1

........................ 520,258 517,585 510,535 0.5 1.4 0.9 529,296 525,993 516,677 493,389 7.3

 Primary metals........................................ 18,131 18,173 17,541 -0.2 3.6 4.2 18,806 19,059 18,179 14,495 29.7

 Iron and steel mills.............................. 10,349 10,282 9,889 0.7 4.0 3.1 10,679 10,787 10,244 7,566 41.1

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals......... 5,304 5,392 5,189 -1.6 3.9 6.9 5,576 5,674 5,371 4,647 20.0

 Ferrous metal foundries...................... 2,478 2,499 2,463 -0.8 1.5 3.0 2,551 2,598 2,564 2,282 11.8

 Fabricated metal products...................... 44,194 42,903 41,446 3.0 3.5 3.4 44,592 43,151 41,546 36,480 22.2

 Machinery.............................................. 46,869 46,860 45,561 0.0 2.9 3.1 48,222 47,707 46,222 43,684 10.4

 Construction machinery....................... 4,221 4,129 3,868 2.2 6.7 35.6 4,673 4,417 4,084 2,168 115.5

 Mining, oil field, and

 gas field machinery......................... 1,377 1,303 1,198 5.7 8.8 11.2 1,377 1,303 1,198 813 69.4

 Industrial machinery............................ 7,870 8,124 8,091 -3.1 0.4 0.9 8,159 8,243 8,246 8,412 -3.0

 Photographic equipment...................... 954 941 909 1.4 3.5 4.8 974 948 897 726 34.2

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............ 4,626 4,528 4,447 2.2 1.8 3.0 4,804 4,554 4,461 4,410 8.9

 Metalworking machinery....................... 4,444 4,329 4,161 2.7 4.0 1.2 4,488 4,395 4,227 3,632 23.6

 Turbines, generators, and other 

 power transmission equipment.......... 9,743 9,893 9,232 -1.5 7.2 -0.7 9,748 9,859 9,326 9,356 4.2

 Material handling equipment............... 4,761 4,725 4,787 0.8 -1.3 -0.8 4,921 4,915 4,884 5,097 -3.5

 Computers and electronic products 1...... 133,036 132,614 130,559 0.3 1.6 1.0 135,543 134,471 132,484 124,189 9.1

 Computers......................................... 7,688 8,072 8,320 -4.8 -3.0 -0.8 7,431 8,032 8,282 7,807 -4.8

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 47,442 46,767 46,911 1.4 -0.3 0.8 48,660 47,365 47,485 47,100 3.3

 Defense communications equipment... 3,505 3,543 3,559 -1.1 -0.4 2.1 3,505 3,543 3,559 3,115 12.5

 Semiconductors 1................................ (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA)

 Electronic components.......................... 14,862 14,773 14,448 0.6 2.2 3.0 14,985 14,817 14,740 13,473 11.2

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment..................................... 4,620 4,560 4,527 1.3 0.7 -2.0 4,679 4,634 4,556 4,573 2.3

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 37,566 37,396 37,070 0.5 0.9 1.7 38,729 38,546 37,792 35,204 10.0

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments.................... 17,353 17,503 15,724 -0.9 11.3 -0.5 17,554 17,534 16,070 12,917 35.9

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 14,937 14,338 14,010 4.2 2.3 2.7 15,087 14,424 14,228 14,095 7.0

 Electric lighting equipment................... 1,614 1,358 1,282 18.9 5.9 5.2 1,612 1,354 1,285 1,446 11.5

 Household appliances.......................... 808 755 665 7.0 13.5 -0.4 838 794 739 1,222 -31.4

 Electrical equipment............................ 8,858 8,580 8,516 3.2 0.8 0.2 8,921 8,551 8,569 8,334 7.0

 Transportation equipment........................ 251,152 250,585 249,502 0.2 0.4 -0.2 255,079 255,230 252,265 249,823 2.1

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers..................................... 14,163 13,938 13,790 1.6 1.1 2.3 14,591 14,595 14,518 12,449 17.2

 Nondefense aircraft and parts.............. 104,298 103,960 103,453 0.3 0.5 -0.1 104,205 104,629 104,435 107,160 -2.8

 Defense aircraft and parts................... 57,243 58,358 59,775 -1.9 -2.4 -2.0 59,042 59,745 59,772 60,843 -3.0

 Ships and boats.................................. 20,539 20,914 21,268 -1.8 -1.7 2.0 21,057 21,562 22,047 19,849 6.1

 Furniture and related products................. 6,041 5,969 5,796 1.2 3.0 1.7 6,069 5,808 5,633 5,593 8.5

p

 Preliminary r Revised NA Not available.

1

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

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

Table 4. Value of Manufacturers' Inventories for Industry Groups

[Millions of Dollars]

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Apr. Mar. Feb. Mar. - Feb. - Jan. - Apr. Mar. Feb. Apr. Apr.

2004p 2004r 2004 Apr. Mar. Feb. 2004p 2004r 2004 2003 04/03

 All manufacturing industries..................... 446,224 444,579 442,798 0.4 0.4 0.6 448,882 443,371 445,854 446,470 0.5

 Excluding transportation...................... 377,939 376,591 374,665 0.4 0.5 0.7 380,386 376,069 377,333 377,974 0.6

 Excluding defense............................. 422,000 420,261 418,595 0.4 0.4 0.6 424,667 419,403 421,491 423,577 0.3

 With unfilled orders............................. 208,251 207,022 206,213 0.6 0.4 0.4 209,517 206,055 207,911 212,561 -1.4

 Durable goods industries........................ 266,844 265,607 264,550 0.5 0.4 0.5 268,889 264,981 267,403 270,318 -0.5

 Wood products........................................ 10,149 10,040 9,840 1.1 2.0 1.5 10,296 10,355 10,182 9,723 5.9

 Nonmetallic mineral products................... 9,165 9,212 9,292 -0.5 -0.9 0.5 9,365 9,425 9,453 9,949 -5.9

 Primary metals........................................ 18,312 18,053 17,746 1.4 1.7 1.4 18,276 17,951 17,766 18,924 -3.4

 Iron and steel mills.............................. 9,630 9,451 9,259 1.9 2.1 0.9 9,544 9,304 9,224 10,682 -10.7

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals......... 7,019 6,918 6,781 1.5 2.0 2.1 6,997 6,900 6,787 6,423 8.9

 Ferrous metal foundries...................... 1,663 1,684 1,706 -1.2 -1.3 1.2 1,735 1,747 1,755 1,819 -4.6

 Fabricated metal products......................... 31,597 31,436 31,377 0.5 0.2 1.4 31,969 31,882 31,758 31,826 0.4

 Machinery.............................................. 42,548 42,498 42,180 0.1 0.8 0.8 42,944 42,788 42,973 42,825 0.3

 Farm machinery.................................. 2,300 2,334 2,327 -1.5 0.3 4.1 2,341 2,463 2,490 2,211 5.9

 Construction machinery........................ 3,779 3,768 3,760 0.3 0.2 1.8 3,841 3,873 3,867 3,555 8.0

 Mining, oil field, 

 and gas field machinery.................. 2,316 2,299 2,272 0.7 1.2 1.4 2,331 2,288 2,252 2,272 2.6

 Industrial machinery............................ 6,771 6,800 6,791 -0.4 0.1 1.5 6,792 6,803 6,922 6,882 -1.3

 Photographic equipment...................... 1,396 1,392 1,396 0.3 -0.3 -2.3 1,421 1,383 1,402 1,459 -2.6

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............ 4,299 4,273 4,218 0.6 1.3 0.8 4,465 4,332 4,288 4,204 6.2

 Metalworking machinery....................... 4,415 4,442 4,348 -0.6 2.2 0.1 4,390 4,380 4,327 4,517 -2.8

 Turbines, generators, and other

 power transmission equipment.......... 4,415 4,314 4,265 2.3 1.1 -0.9 4,368 4,217 4,266 4,181 4.5

 Material handling equipment............... 2,340 2,290 2,259 2.2 1.4 -1.1 2,355 2,308 2,280 2,300 2.4

 Computers and electronic products......... 47,571 47,195 46,833 0.8 0.8 -0.2 47,909 46,126 47,316 49,018 -2.3

 Computers......................................... 2,440 2,463 2,415 -0.9 2.0 -0.8 2,389 2,389 2,430 2,491 -4.1

 Computer storage devices................... 1,198 1,197 1,204 0.1 -0.6 -2.2 1,256 1,107 1,248 1,250 0.5

 Other peripheral equipment................ 2,297 2,225 2,327 3.2 -4.4 -1.5 2,323 2,113 2,366 2,475 -6.1

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 9,432 9,261 9,241 1.8 0.2 -1.2 9,479 9,013 9,324 10,502 -9.7

 Defense communications equipment...... 1,309 1,306 1,283 0.2 1.8 7.9 1,309 1,306 1,283 1,311 -0.2

 Audio and video equipment.................. 891 905 899 -1.5 0.7 -2.9 827 772 866 1,000 -17.3

 Semiconductors1

................................ (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA)

 Electronic components.......................... 7,914 7,739 7,572 2.3 2.2 -0.2 7,997 7,570 7,723 7,836 2.1

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 2,443 2,476 2,473 -1.3 0.1 -2.8 2,471 2,450 2,463 2,673 -7.6

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 2,877 2,846 2,837 1.1 0.3 -5.2 2,911 2,785 2,830 3,233 -10.0

 Electromedical, measuring 

 and control instruments.................... 10,132 10,111 10,091 0.2 0.2 2.0 10,156 9,977 10,224 10,202 -0.5

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 12,299 12,335 12,275 -0.3 0.5 -1.7 12,707 12,535 12,612 12,973 -2.1

 Electric lighting equipment................... 1,407 1,405 1,394 0.1 0.8 0.5 1,425 1,404 1,409 1,525 -6.6

 Household appliances.......................... 2,163 2,143 2,143 0.9 0.0 0.0 2,316 2,199 2,233 2,219 4.4

 Electrical equipment............................ 4,294 4,306 4,246 -0.3 1.4 1.5 4,404 4,351 4,389 4,133 6.6

 Batteries............................................ 594 595 576 -0.2 3.3 2.1 606 592 565 556 9.0

 Transportation equipment...................... 68,285 67,988 68,133 0.4 -0.2 0.4 68,496 67,302 68,521 68,496 0.0

 Automobiles....................................... 2,006 1,963 1,969 2.2 -0.3 0.0 2,066 1,943 2,030 1,983 4.2

 Light trucks and utility vehicles............ 2,538 2,467 2,402 2.9 2.7 -1.7 2,611 2,402 2,398 2,223 17.5

 Heavy duty trucks .............................. 778 774 750 0.5 3.2 -0.1 758 766 757 729 4.0

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers..................................... 15,790 15,855 15,826 -0.4 0.2 1.0 15,905 15,956 15,919 15,740 1.0

 Nondefense aircraft and parts.............. 23,769 23,610 23,915 0.7 -1.3 -0.2 23,757 23,225 23,940 25,954 -8.5

 Defense aircraft and parts..................... 11,604 11,625 11,498 -0.2 1.1 -0.1 11,540 11,409 11,756 10,478 10.1

 Ships and boats.................................. 3,109 3,157 3,194 -1.5 -1.2 4.2 3,136 3,176 3,190 2,659 17.9

 Furniture and related products................. 7,834 7,625 7,589 2.7 0.5 -0.1 7,817 7,492 7,479 7,850 -0.4

 Miscellaneous durable goods.................... 19,084 19,225 19,285 -0.7 -0.3 0.9 19,110 19,125 19,343 18,734 2.0

 Nondurable goods industries................... 179,380 178,972 178,248 0.2 0.4 0.8 179,993 178,390 178,451 176,152 2.2

 Food products........................................ 33,444 33,405 33,109 0.1 0.9 0.6 32,534 32,845 33,095 32,051 1.5

 Grain and oilseed milling..................... 3,342 3,406 3,409 -1.9 -0.1 4.6 3,261 3,490 3,561 3,498 -6.8

 Dairy products.................................... 3,871 3,729 3,639 3.8 2.5 1.0 4,021 3,730 3,624 3,682 9.2

 Meat, poultry, and seafood products...... 6,235 6,200 6,103 0.6 1.6 0.1 6,261 6,250 6,087 5,957 5.1

 Beverage and tobacco products............... 14,761 14,701 14,770 0.4 -0.5 1.0 14,716 14,711 14,998 14,582 0.9

 Beverages......................................... 10,165 10,148 10,132 0.2 0.2 2.0 10,192 10,149 10,113 9,731 4.7

 Tobacco........................................... 4,596 4,553 4,638 0.9 -1.8 -1.0 4,524 4,562 4,885 4,851 -6.7

 Textile mills........................................... 4,879 4,908 4,930 -0.6 -0.4 -0.3 4,988 4,900 4,950 5,190 -3.9

 Textile products...................................... 5,109 5,100 5,094 0.2 0.1 0.1 5,205 5,079 5,081 5,115 1.8

 Apparel................................................. 6,890 6,899 6,892 -0.1 0.1 -2.3 6,820 6,724 6,761 7,184 -5.1

 Leather and allied products..................... 1,677 1,679 1,717 -0.1 -2.2 -0.3 1,643 1,626 1,695 1,623 1.2

 Paper products....................................... 14,172 14,236 14,371 -0.4 -0.9 -0.5 14,287 14,318 14,503 15,067 -5.2

 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills.......... 6,186 6,230 6,335 -0.7 -1.7 -0.9 6,212 6,275 6,425 6,622 -6.2

 Paperboard containers........................ 4,059 4,033 4,066 0.6 -0.8 -1.0 4,074 4,021 4,109 4,296 -5.2

 Printing.................................................. 6,144 6,130 6,190 0.2 -1.0 2.9 6,058 6,013 6,011 6,170 -1.8

 Petroleum and coal products..................... 16,325 16,248 16,279 0.5 -0.2 1.1 16,676 15,982 15,939 16,257 2.6

 Petroleum refineries............................. 14,739 14,609 14,677 0.9 -0.5 0.9 15,042 14,341 14,372 14,655 2.6

 Basic chemicals...................................... 55,269 54,932 54,245 0.6 1.3 1.8 55,853 55,050 54,525 52,274 6.8

 Pesticides, fertilizers, and other

 agricultural chemicals....................... 2,324 2,326 2,387 -0.1 -2.6 1.3 2,528 2,705 2,814 2,602 -2.8

 Pharmaceuticals and medicines............ 23,569 23,006 22,279 2.4 3.3 4.0 23,724 22,708 21,963 19,971 18.8

 Paints, coatings, and adhesives............. 2,780 2,773 2,785 0.3 -0.4 -0.1 2,846 2,848 2,835 2,844 0.1

 Plastics and rubber products..................... 20,710 20,734 20,651 -0.1 0.4 0.2 21,213 21,142 20,893 20,639 2.8

p

 Preliminary r Revised NA Not available.

1 Inventories for semiconductor industry data are included in computers and electronic products and total durable goods industries, but are not shown separately. 

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.
 7 

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

 Topical Series 1

[Millions of Dollars]

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted2

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Year to date Percent

Industry Change6

Apr. Mar. Feb. Mar. - Feb. - Jan. - Apr. Mar. Feb. Apr. 2004/

2004p 2004r 2004 Apr. Mar. Feb. 2004p 2004r 2004 2003 2004p 2003 2003

SHIPMENTS

 All manufacturing industries .................. 361,200 362,925 348,157 -0.5 4.2 -0.1 359,559 390,300 339,222 319,294 1,407,515 1,281,058 9.9

 Construction materials and supplies...... 39,853 39,630 35,743 0.6 10.9 0.2 40,126 40,365 33,617 34,367 145,529 131,553 10.6

 Information technology......................... 30,364 30,097 29,410 0.9 2.3 -2.8 27,561 34,965 26,818 24,113 114,881 100,072 14.8

 Computers and related products .......... 8,760 8,266 8,167 6.0 1.2 -2.7 7,610 9,881 6,680 6,431 31,515 26,224 20.2

 Motor vehicle and parts........................ 39,037 40,421 38,878 -3.4 4.0 5.2 40,457 46,403 40,174 36,320 161,996 149,894 8.1

 Capital goods...................................... 70,154 70,245 69,289 -0.1 1.4 1.5 67,379 80,199 65,233 59,033 271,293 239,808 13.1

 Nondefense capital goods 3.................. 62,000 62,035 59,993 -0.1 3.4 -0.3 59,525 71,187 56,075 51,917 238,491 211,555 12.7

 Excluding aircraft............................. 59,667 59,350 57,283 0.5 3.6 -1.7 57,570 67,723 53,578 50,106 229,297 202,422 13.3

 Defense capital goods 4....................... 8,154 8,210 9,296 -0.7 -11.7 15.1 7,854 9,012 9,158 7,116 32,802 28,253 16.1

 Consumer goods.................................. 136,564 137,736 132,855 -0.9 3.7 -0.2 135,973 144,802 130,572 121,105 535,995 492,611 8.8

 Consumer durable goods..................... 35,334 36,138 35,152 -2.2 2.8 4.6 35,621 41,691 35,536 31,868 143,670 131,483 9.3

 Consumer nondurable goods............... 101,230 101,598 97,703 -0.4 4.0 -1.9 100,352 103,111 95,036 89,237 392,325 361,128 8.6

 All manufacturing industries 5................. 356,851 363,146 345,778 -1.7 5.0 1.1 356,332 392,335 339,213 314,973 1,407,738 1,271,635 10.7

 Construction materials and supplies...... 41,369 40,920 36,829 1.1 11.1 1.1 41,968 41,687 34,906 34,127 151,421 131,360 15.3

 Information technology......................... 30,722 31,957 30,563 -3.9 4.6 1.5 28,482 37,016 29,258 25,383 120,957 107,353 12.7

 Computers and related products .......... 8,376 8,018 8,104 4.5 -1.1 2.2 7,009 9,631 6,833 6,207 30,141 25,907 16.3

 Motor vehicle and parts........................ 39,262 40,569 39,186 -3.2 3.5 6.1 40,453 46,480 40,647 36,110 162,967 150,210 8.5

 Capital goods...................................... 71,170 74,113 71,319 -4.0 3.9 5.8 68,860 86,205 68,518 61,824 285,647 253,308 12.8

 Nondefense capital goods 3.................. 62,798 64,726 60,967 -3.0 6.2 4.1 60,711 73,524 58,391 52,839 245,397 216,014 13.6

 Excluding aircraft............................. 60,079 62,426 58,778 -3.8 6.2 2.3 59,132 70,758 56,764 51,336 238,008 210,467 13.1

 Defense capital goods 4....................... 8,372 9,387 10,352 -10.8 -9.3 17.0 8,149 12,681 10,127 8,985 40,250 37,294 7.9

 Consumer goods.................................. 136,181 137,815 132,671 -1.2 3.9 -0.4 135,635 144,857 130,376 121,423 535,866 493,154 8.7

 Consumer durable goods..................... 34,951 36,217 34,968 -3.5 3.6 3.8 35,283 41,746 35,340 32,186 143,541 132,026 8.7

 Consumer nondurable goods.............. 101,230 101,598 97,703 -0.4 4.0 -1.9 100,352 103,111 95,036 89,237 392,325 361,128 8.6

 All manufacturing industries 5

................. 520,258 517,585 510,535 0.5 1.4 0.9 529,296 525,993 516,677 493,389 (X) (X) 7.3

 Construction materials and supplies...... 37,430 35,914 34,624 4.2 3.7 3.2 37,761 35,919 34,597 30,940 (X) (X) 22.0

 Information technology......................... 122,785 122,427 120,567 0.3 1.5 1.0 125,248 124,327 122,276 114,535 (X) (X) 9.4

 Computers and related products .......... 7,688 8,072 8,320 -4.8 -3.0 -0.8 7,431 8,032 8,282 7,807 (X) (X) -4.8

 Motor vehicle and parts........................ 14,163 13,938 13,790 1.6 1.1 2.3 14,591 14,595 14,518 12,449 (X) (X) 17.2

 Capital goods...................................... 365,569 364,553 360,685 0.3 1.1 0.6 372,151 370,670 364,664 352,211 (X) (X) 5.7

 Nondefense capital goods 3

..................223,944 223,146 220,455 0.4 1.2 0.4 226,453 225,267 222,930 217,861 (X) (X) 3.9

 Excluding aircraft............................. 145,393 144,981 141,905 0.3 2.2 1.1 147,995 146,433 143,398 136,316 (X) (X) 8.6

 Defense capital goods 4

....................... 141,625 141,407 140,230 0.2 0.8 0.8 145,698 145,403 141,734 134,350 (X) (X) 8.4

 Consumer goods.................................. 12,356 12,739 12,660 -3.0 0.6 -1.4 12,482 12,820 12,765 12,410 (X) (X) 0.6

 Consumer durable goods..................... 12,356 12,739 12,660 -3.0 0.6 -1.4 12,482 12,820 12,765 12,410 (X) (X) 0.6 

 All manufacturing industries .................. 446,224 444,579 442,798 0.4 0.4 0.6 448,882 443,371 445,854 446,470 (X) (X) 0.5

 Construction materials and supplies...... 47,361 47,140 46,799 0.5 0.7 1.0 48,187 48,154 47,725 48,068 (X) (X) 0.2

 Information technology......................... 38,746 38,554 38,569 0.5 0.0 -1.2 38,981 37,751 38,940 41,601 (X) (X) -6.3

 Computers and related products .......... 5,935 5,885 5,946 0.8 -1.0 -1.4 5,968 5,609 6,044 6,216 (X) (X) -4.0

 Motor vehicle and parts........................ 21,112 21,059 20,947 0.3 0.5 0.6 21,340 21,067 21,104 20,675 (X) (X) 3.2

 Capital goods...................................... 125,066 125,015 124,942 0.0 0.1 0.3 125,710 124,028 125,987 128,059 (X) (X) -1.8

 Nondefense capital goods 3

..................105,555 105,300 105,241 0.2 0.1 0.2 106,118 104,517 106,303 109,557 (X) (X) -3.1

 Excluding aircraft............................. 88,438 88,310 88,090 0.1 0.2 0.2 89,037 87,786 89,068 90,660 (X) (X) -1.8

 Defense capital goods 4

....................... 19,511 19,715 19,701 -1.0 0.1 1.3 19,592 19,511 19,684 18,502 (X) (X) 5.9

 Consumer goods.................................. 138,987 138,065 137,184 0.7 0.6 0.9 138,846 136,569 137,091 134,318 (X) (X) 3.4

 Consumer durable goods..................... 27,923 27,672 27,537 0.9 0.5 0.0 28,227 27,481 27,950 27,718 (X) (X) 1.8

 Consumer nondurable goods............... 111,064 110,393 109,647 0.6 0.7 1.1 110,619 109,088 109,141 106,600 (X) (X) 3.8

p

 Preliminary r Revised X Not Applicable.

1

 Topical series are regroupings of the separate industry categories. 2

 Shipments and new orders are the totals for the period and are adjusted for trading-day and calendar-month variations. 3

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

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

equipment; pumps and compressors; material handling equipment; all other machinery; electronic computers; computer storage devices; other computer peripheral

equipment; communications equipment; search and navigation equipment; electromedical, measuring, and control instruments; electrical equipment; other electrical 

equipment, appliances, and components; heavy duty trucks; aircraft; railroad rolling stock; ships and boats; office and institutional furniture; and medical equipment

and supplies.

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

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
 8

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

 

[Millions of Dollars]

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Apr. Mar. Feb. Mar. - Feb. - Jan. - Apr. Mar. Feb. Apr. Apr.

2004p 2004r 2004 Apr. Mar. Feb. 2004p 2004r 2004 2003 04/03

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

 All manufacturing industries ..................... 146,946 145,564 144,567 0.9 0.7 1.0 146,810 145,160 145,353 147,400 -0.4

 Durable goods industries ........................ 87,103 85,836 84,796 1.5 1.2 0.9 86,728 85,344 85,452 86,536 0.2

 Wood products................................... 3,941 3,839 3,700 2.7 3.8 -0.4 3,658 3,719 3,780 3,339 9.6

 Nonmetallic mineral products............... 3,335 3,309 3,292 0.8 0.5 1.6 3,308 3,287 3,273 3,311 -0.1

 Primary metals.................................... 6,569 6,396 6,242 2.7 2.5 7.5 6,430 6,206 6,146 6,212 3.5

 Fabricated metal products..................... 11,586 11,495 11,335 0.8 1.4 2.0 11,625 11,556 11,389 11,295 2.9

 Machinery.......................................... 12,596 12,503 12,408 0.7 0.8 0.2 12,639 12,479 12,484 13,123 -3.7

 Computers and electronic products ...... 17,171 16,808 16,614 2.2 1.2 0.4 17,104 16,704 16,890 17,725 -3.5

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components.............................. 4,578 4,586 4,525 -0.2 1.3 -4.2 4,648 4,605 4,642 4,866 -4.5

 Transportation equipment.................. 17,662 17,569 17,278 0.5 1.7 1.5 17,650 17,498 17,450 17,238 2.4

 Furniture and related products............ 3,312 3,130 3,133 5.8 -0.1 -2.0 3,307 3,133 3,120 3,242 2.0

 Miscellaneous products........................ 6,353 6,201 6,269 2.5 -1.1 -0.4 6,359 6,157 6,278 6,185 2.8

 Nondurable goods industries.................... 59,843 59,728 59,771 0.2 -0.1 1.2 60,082 59,816 59,901 60,864 -1.3

 Food products.................................... 10,077 10,223 10,355 -1.4 -1.3 0.9 9,995 10,285 10,420 10,563 -5.4

 Beverage and tobacco products............ 5,333 5,318 5,396 0.3 -1.4 2.4 5,374 5,410 5,539 5,584 -3.8

 Textiles.............................................. 1,398 1,366 1,365 2.3 0.1 1.1 1,432 1,366 1,372 1,615 -11.3

 Textile products.................................. 1,800 1,801 1,796 -0.1 0.3 1.0 1,815 1,790 1,789 1,833 -1.0

 Apparel............................................. 1,591 1,604 1,634 -0.8 -1.8 -1.1 1,634 1,602 1,614 1,785 -8.5

 Leather and allied products................... 453 447 448 1.3 -0.2 0.0 448 432 439 431 3.9

 Paper products................................... 6,517 6,492 6,531 0.4 -0.6 -1.3 6,509 6,509 6,591 6,974 -6.7

 Printing ............................................. 2,735 2,712 2,711 0.8 0.0 3.7 2,638 2,709 2,660 2,676 -1.4

 Petroleum and coal products............... 5,164 5,167 5,109 -0.1 1.1 3.8 5,375 5,149 5,045 4,684 14.8

 Basic chemicals................................... 17,220 17,116 17,018 0.6 0.6 1.9 17,252 17,104 16,971 17,254 0.0

 Plastics and rubber products............... 7,555 7,482 7,408 1.0 1.0 -0.4 7,610 7,460 7,461 7,465 1.9

WORK IN PROCESS

 All manufacturing industries ..................... 130,153 129,665 129,458 0.4 0.2 0.4 130,800 128,725 129,880 129,238 1.2

 Durable goods industries ........................ 97,851 97,578 97,768 0.3 -0.2 0.4 98,678 97,005 98,316 98,502 0.2

 Wood products................................... 2,007 2,024 2,045 -0.8 -1.0 4.0 2,018 2,035 2,046 2,031 -0.6

 Nonmetallic mineral products............... 1,177 1,210 1,224 -2.7 -1.1 -0.1 1,226 1,285 1,275 1,276 -3.9

 Primary metals.................................... 6,341 6,220 5,944 1.9 4.6 -2.4 6,333 6,198 5,920 6,371 -0.6

 Fabricated metal products..................... 9,593 9,557 9,576 0.4 -0.2 1.0 9,593 9,554 9,577 9,324 2.9

 Machinery.......................................... 15,069 14,935 14,976 0.9 -0.3 1.1 15,167 14,763 15,025 14,378 5.5

 Computers and electronic products ...... 18,687 18,413 18,194 1.5 1.2 -0.2 19,139 17,948 18,291 18,744 2.1

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components.............................. 2,918 2,918 2,921 0.0 -0.1 0.1 3,012 2,954 2,983 3,033 -0.7

 Transportation equipment.................. 37,585 37,522 38,069 0.2 -1.4 -0.1 37,718 37,508 38,429 38,376 -1.7

 Furniture and related products............ 1,549 1,554 1,538 -0.3 1.0 0.3 1,547 1,555 1,532 1,601 -3.4

 Miscellaneous products........................ 2,925 3,225 3,281 -9.3 -1.7 6.9 2,925 3,205 3,238 3,368 -13.2

 Nondurable goods industries.................... 32,302 32,087 31,690 0.7 1.3 0.5 32,122 31,720 31,564 30,736 4.5

 Food products.................................... 3,097 3,039 2,995 1.9 1.5 -0.1 2,950 2,971 3,015 2,813 4.9

 Beverage and tobacco products............ 4,826 4,728 4,727 2.1 0.0 -1.3 4,646 4,687 4,866 4,266 8.9

 Textiles.............................................. 1,299 1,290 1,286 0.7 0.3 -0.2 1,324 1,288 1,297 1,255 5.5

 Textile products.................................. 686 692 693 -0.9 -0.1 -2.7 704 693 693 737 -4.5

 Apparel............................................. 1,185 1,189 1,193 -0.3 -0.3 1.5 1,209 1,160 1,184 1,324 -8.7

 Leather and allied products................... 181 181 190 0.0 -4.7 -4.5 180 180 190 169 6.5

 Paper products................................... 1,178 1,158 1,137 1.7 1.8 -0.4 1,180 1,139 1,131 1,192 -1.0

 Printing ............................................. 1,670 1,683 1,749 -0.8 -3.8 4.2 1,666 1,620 1,679 1,766 -5.7

 Petroleum and coal products............... 4,564 4,518 4,600 1.0 -1.8 1.3 4,622 4,520 4,488 4,427 4.4

 Basic chemicals................................... 11,161 11,123 10,650 0.3 4.4 1.2 11,156 10,917 10,510 10,258 8.8

 Plastics and rubber products............... 2,455 2,486 2,470 -1.2 0.6 -0.2 2,485 2,545 2,511 2,529 -1.7

FINISHED GOODS

 All manufacturing industries ..................... 169,125 169,350 168,773 -0.1 0.3 0.5 171,272 169,486 170,621 169,832 0.8

 Durable goods industries ........................ 81,890 82,193 81,986 -0.4 0.3 0.2 83,483 82,632 83,635 85,280 -2.1

 Wood products................................... 4,201 4,177 4,095 0.6 2.0 2.0 4,620 4,601 4,356 4,353 6.1

 Nonmetallic mineral products............... 4,653 4,693 4,776 -0.9 -1.7 -0.1 4,831 4,853 4,905 5,362 -9.9

 Primary metals.................................... 5,402 5,437 5,560 -0.6 -2.2 -0.9 5,513 5,547 5,700 6,341 -13.1

 Fabricated metal products..................... 10,418 10,384 10,466 0.3 -0.8 1.0 10,751 10,772 10,792 11,207 -4.1

 Machinery.......................................... 14,883 15,060 14,796 -1.2 1.8 0.9 15,138 15,546 15,464 15,324 -1.2

 Computers and electronic products ...... 11,713 11,974 12,025 -2.2 -0.4 -1.0 11,666 11,474 12,135 12,549 -7.0

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components.............................. 4,803 4,831 4,829 -0.6 0.0 -0.3 5,047 4,976 4,987 5,074 -0.5

 Transportation equipment.................. 13,038 12,897 12,786 1.1 0.9 0.1 13,128 12,296 12,642 12,882 1.9

 Furniture and related products............ 2,973 2,941 2,918 1.1 0.8 1.8 2,963 2,804 2,827 3,007 -1.5

 Miscellaneous products........................ 9,806 9,799 9,735 0.1 0.7 -0.1 9,826 9,763 9,827 9,181 7.0

 Nondurable goods industries.................... 87,235 87,157 86,787 0.1 0.4 0.7 87,789 86,854 86,986 84,552 3.8

 Food products.................................... 20,270 20,143 19,759 0.6 1.9 0.6 19,589 19,589 19,660 18,675 4.9

 Beverage and tobacco products............ 4,602 4,655 4,647 -1.1 0.2 1.7 4,696 4,614 4,593 4,732 -0.8

 Textiles.............................................. 2,182 2,252 2,279 -3.1 -1.2 -1.1 2,232 2,246 2,281 2,320 -3.8

 Textile products.................................. 2,623 2,607 2,605 0.6 0.1 0.3 2,686 2,596 2,599 2,545 5.5

 Apparel............................................. 4,114 4,106 4,065 0.2 1.0 -3.7 3,977 3,962 3,963 4,075 -2.4

 Leather and allied products................... 1,043 1,051 1,079 -0.8 -2.6 0.4 1,015 1,014 1,066 1,023 -0.8

 Paper products................................... 6,477 6,586 6,703 -1.7 -1.7 0.2 6,598 6,670 6,781 6,901 -4.4

 Printing ............................................. 1,739 1,735 1,730 0.2 0.3 0.3 1,754 1,684 1,672 1,728 1.5

 Petroleum and coal products............... 6,597 6,563 6,570 0.5 -0.1 -1.0 6,679 6,313 6,406 7,146 -6.5

 Basic chemicals................................... 26,888 26,693 26,577 0.7 0.4 2.0 27,445 27,029 27,044 24,762 10.8

 Plastics and rubber products............... 10,700 10,766 10,773 -0.6 -0.1 0.8 11,118 11,137 10,921 10,645 4.4

p

 Preliminary r Revised

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revisions.
Table 7. Ratios of Manufacturers' Inventories to Shipments and Unfilled Orders 

 to Shipments, by Industry Group

[Based on Seasonally Adjusted data]

Inventory/Shipments ratio Unfilled Orders/Shipments ratio 1

Industry Apr Mar Feb Jan Apr Mar Feb Jan

2004p 2004r 2004 2004 2004p 2004r 2004 2004

 All manufacturing industries

2

...... 1.24 1.22 1.27 1.26 (X) (X) (X) (X)

Durable goods industries

2

................... 1.37 1.35 1.40 1.41 3.95 3.90 4.00 3.99

 Wood products................................ 1.07 1.10 1.17 1.19 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Nonmetallic mineral products........... 1.18 1.18 1.32 1.30 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Primary metals................................. 1.40 1.36 1.47 1.48 1.39 1.36 1.46 1.43

 Fabricated metal products............... 1.39 1.38 1.53 1.48 2.03 1.96 2.10 2.01

 Machinery....................................... 1.78 1.78 1.87 1.85 2.18 2.17 2.24 2.15

 Computers and electronic products

2

.. 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.24 4.90 4.96 4.93 4.70

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................. 1.42 1.43 1.45 1.46 1.83 1.76 1.76 1.70

 Transportation equipment................. 1.27 1.21 1.23 1.32 7.53 7.21 7.22 7.69

 Furniture and related products........... 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.23 1.12 1.15 1.12 1.05

 Miscellaneous products.................... 1.68 1.65 1.73 1.70 (X) (X) (X) (X)

Nondurable goods industries.............. 1.08 1.08 1.12 1.09 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Food products................................... 0.84 0.86 0.87 0.85 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Beverage and tobacco products......... 1.65 1.58 1.74 1.72 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Textiles.......................................... 1.43 1.45 1.46 1.45 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Textile products............................... 1.65 1.61 1.60 1.54 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Apparel.......................................... 1.45 1.46 1.50 1.54 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Leather and allied products............... 1.91 1.91 1.95 2.00 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Paper products................................ 1.01 1.03 1.07 1.02 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Printing.......................................... 0.79 0.78 0.79 0.77 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Petroleum and coal products............ 0.65 0.63 0.67 0.64 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Basic chemicals............................... 1.34 1.34 1.38 1.33 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Plastics and rubber products.............. 1.24 1.25 1.31 1.27 (X) (X) (X) (X)

p

 Preliminary r Revised X Not Applicable

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; manufacturin

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

Apr

2 Apr2 Apr2 Apr2

Industry 2003- 2003- 2003- 2003-

Apr

1 Mar Apr1 Mar Apr1 Mar Apr1 Mar

2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004

 All manufacturing industries.......... (X) 0.3 (X) 0.5 (X) 0.1 (X) 0.1

Durable goods industries...................... -0.1 0.4 -0.3 0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

 Wood products................................... (X) 1.0 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.5

 Nonmetallic mineral products............. (X) 0.9 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.7

 Primary metals................................... -1.4 0.7 -1.4 1.4 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.4

 Fabricated metal products.................. -0.3 0.6 -0.1 1.8 0.4 0.8 0.0 0.3

 Machinery.......................................... 0.0 0.8 -0.1 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.2

 Computers and electronic products..... 0.3 0.7 -0.1 1.5 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3

 Electrical equipment, appliances

 and components............................. 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.2

 Transportation equipment.................. 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

 Furniture and related products............ (X) 0.9 (X) 1.4 (X) 1.1 (X) 0.3

 Miscellaneous products...................... (X) 0.5 (X) 1.1 (X) 1.3 (X) 0.3

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

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

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

 Textiles............................................. (X) 1.4 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.4

 Textile products................................. (X) 0.7 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.4

 Apparel.............................................. (X) 0.7 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.4

 Leather and allied products.................. (X) 2.5 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 1.5

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

 Printing.............................................. (X) 0.7 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.4

 Petroleum and coal products............... (X) 1.7 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 1.2

 Basic chemicals.................................. (X) 0.6 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.4

 Plastics and rubber products............... (X) 0.5 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

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 publ

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. T

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

Table 8. Revisions to Previously Published Monthly Percent Changes

[Based on Seasonally Adjusted data]

Shipments New Orders Unfilled Orders Inventories
10

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-ofmonth 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-in-process, and finished goods). The

M3 includes approximately 3,500 reporting units. 

Units may be divisions of diversified large

companies, large homogenous companies, or singleunit manufacturers in 89 industry categories. Due to

the small monthly sample, these 89 categories have

been combined into 59 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 monthto-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 3,500 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 3,500 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.

Additional survey documentation can be found on our

web site: http://www.census.gov/m3.