Inventory Sentiment

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Inventory Sentiment Index in August registered 56 percent, which is 3.5 percentage points lower than the 59.5 percent reported in July. This indicates that respondents believe their inventories are still too high at this time. In August, 23 percent of respondents said their inventories were too high, 11 percent said their inventories were too low, and 66 percent said their inventories were about right.

The five industries reporting a feeling that their inventories are too high in August are: Information; Finance & Insurance; Management of Companies & Support Services; Utilities; and Wholesale Trade. The three industries reporting that inventories are too low in August are: Health Care & Social Assistance; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; and Construction. Eight industries reported no change in inventory sentiment in August compared to July.