New orders for manufactured goods in December, up eight consecutive months, increased $5.2 billion or 1.1% to $493.5 billion, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported. This followed a 1.3% November increase.

Shipments for these factory goods, also up eight consecutive months, increased $8.4 billion or 1.7% to $501.8 billion. This followed a 0.8% November increase.