New orders for manufactured goods in July, down three of the last four months, decreased $7.8 billion or 1.3 percent to $603.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 4.8 percent June decrease. Shipments, up three consecutive months, increased $5.3 billion or 0.9 percent to $608.3 billion. This followed a 0.6 percent June increase. Unfilled orders, up twelve of the last thirteen months, increased $0.4 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,469.6 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent June increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.87, down from 7.01 in June. Inventories, up nine of the last ten months, increased $2.6 billion or 0.3 percent to $948.8 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent June increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.56, down from 1.57 in June.