Manufacturing sales declined 0.8% to $51.0 billion in October, following two consecutive monthly gains. The largest decreases were in the primary metal, petroleum and coal product, and machinery industries.
Sales fell in 15 of 21 industries, representing 61% of the manufacturing sector. Sales of durable goods decreased 1.1%, while non-durable goods sales were down 0.4%.
Constant dollar sales declined 1.7% in October, reflecting a lower volume of manufactured goods sold. According to the Industrial Product Price Index, prices for the manufacturing sector rose 0.7% in October.