The Inventories Index registered 44% in June 2012, which is 2 percentage points lower than the 46% reported in May 2012. This month's reading indicates that respondents are reporting inventories are contracting, which has been the case in eight of the last nine months. An Inventories Index greater than 42.8%, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis' figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained USD 2000).
The five industries reporting higher inventories in June 2012 are Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.
The 10 industries reporting decreases in inventories in June 2012 listed in order are: Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment and Fabricated Metal Products.
| Inventories | % Higher | % Same | % Lower | Net | Index |
| Jun 2012 | 13 | 62 | 25 | -12 | 44 |
| May 2012 | 14 | 64 | 22 | -8 | 46 |
| Apr 2012 | 17 | 63 | 20 | -3 | 48.5 |
| Mar 2012 | 20 | 60 | 20 | 0 | 50 |
Source - Institute for Supply Management
(www.steelguru.com)
