New Orders For IT Gear Show Slight Rise

The recovery in the computer sector continues to be muddled, according to figures released by the Commerce Department on Friday. New orders for computers and related products inched ahead by 0.8% in June, while shipments rose 4.6%. As a comparison, new orders for all types of durable goods increased 2.1% in June; shipments rose 1.3%.

Over the past few months, no noticeable trend in new orders and shipments of computer wares has been established. In May, for instance, orders rose a mere 0.2% after soaring 18.8% in April. Similarly, new shipments declined by 7.1% in May after rocketing 22.4% in April.

Inventories for computer products rose last month by 1.4% following a 1.3% increase in May and a 3.1% decline in April. Unfilled orders rose 3.2% in June after rising 7% in May but declining 0.3% in April.