US factory orders slip again in June as shipments soften

4th Aug 2026 14:32

(Sharecast News) - US factory orders dipped again in June, marking a second monthly decline, according to the Census Bureau, with softer shipments partly offset by continued strength in unfilled orders and inventories.

New orders edged 0.3% lower to $656.5bn after a 1.1% fall in May, while shipments slipped 0.2% to $652.1bn following six straight monthly increases.

Unfilled orders rose for the 23rd time in 24 months, up 0.6% to $1.59trn, although the unfilled‑orders‑to‑shipments ratio eased to 6.86 from 6.90.

Inventories increased for a ninth consecutive month, up 0.1% to $962.9bn, lifting the inventories‑to‑shipments ratio to 1.48.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com