Inventories

The Inventories Index registered 52.3 percent in August, 3 percentage points higher than the 49.3 percent reported in July. An Inventories Index greater than 42.7 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis' (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

The eight industries reporting higher inventories in August — listed in order — are: Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. The seven industries reporting decreases in inventories in August — listed in order — are: Plastics & Rubber Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Paper Products; and Petroleum & Coal Products.