The Inventories Index registered 50.5% in September 2012, which is 2.5 percentage points lower than the 53% reported in August 2012. This month's reading indicates that respondents are reporting inventories are growing for the second consecutive month, but at a slower rate than in August 2012. 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 2000 dollars).
The six industries reporting higher inventories in September 2012 listed in order are: Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products and Computer & Electronic Products.
The eight industries reporting decreases in inventories in September 2012 listed in order are: Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products and Apparel, Leather & Allied Products.
| Inventories | % Higher | % Same | % Lower | Net | Index |
| Sep '12 | 20 | 61 | 19 | 1 | 50.5 |
| Aug '12 | 24 | 58 | 18 | 6 | 53 |
| Jul '12 | 21 | 56 | 23 | -2 | 49 |
| Jun '12 | 13 | 62 | 25 | -12 | 44 |
Source - Institute for Supply Management
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