New orders for manufactured goods in April, down following four consecutive monthly increases, decreased $22.8 billion or 3.7 percent to $594.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 3.4 percent March increase. Shipments, down two consecutive months, decreased $1.8 billion or 0.3 percent to $598.9 billion. This followed a 0.2 percent March decrease. Unfilled orders, up eleven of the last twelve months, increased $0.7 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,408.5 billion. This followed a 1.6 percent March increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.77, down from 6.86 in March. Inventories, down following six consecutive monthly increases, decreased $0.5 billion or 0.1 percent to $943.6 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent March increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.58, up from 1.57 in March.