New orders for manufactured goods in March, up four of the last five months, increased $9.1 billion or 1.5 percent to $630.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.3 percent February increase. Shipments, up five of the last six months, increased $8.8 billion or 1.4 percent to $633.9 billion. This followed a 1.7 percent February increase. Unfilled orders, up twenty of the last twenty-one months, increased $1.6 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,540.9 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.88, down from 6.92 in February. Inventories, up six consecutive months, increased $5.8 billion or 0.6 percent to $956.3 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.51, down from 1.52 in February.