Manufacturing sales declined 0.4% to $53.5 billion in October, following two consecutive monthly increases.

Sales fell in 8 of 21 industries, representing 56.0% of the manufacturing sector. Sales of motor vehicles and other transportation equipment accounted for most of the decline in October. Excluding these two industries, manufacturing sales increased 0.5%.

In constant dollars, sales decreased 1.5% in October, reflecting a lower volume of goods sold.