New orders for manufactured goods in February, up two consecutive months, increased $3.6 billion or 0.6 percent to $594.0 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 1.8 percent January increase. Shipments, up four consecutive months, increased $4.2 billion or 0.7 percent to $596.8 billion. This followed a 0.5 percent January increase. Unfilled orders, up seven of the last eight months, increased $2.1 billion or 0.1 percent to $1,402.7 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent January increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.81, down from 6.84 in January. Inventories, up four consecutive months, increased $1.3 billion or 0.1 percent to $864.9 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent January increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.45, down from 1.46 in January.