US Logistics Growth Accelerates to 2022-Highs

2026-07-07 10:10 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

The Logistics Manager’s Index in the US increased to 71.1 in June 2026 from 69.5 in May, pointing to the strongest growth in the logistics sector since March 2022.

The upward push is mostly due to much faster expansion in Inventory Levels (+5.7 to 60.5), largely traced to surges among larger respondents and Downstream retailers.

The push from retailers is likely representative that consumer spending has held through the first half of the year despite of inflation, giving retailers confidence in bringing forward goods for the second half of the year.

Also, tariffs may increase in later July, so some of what we’re seeing is a pull-forward ahead of peak season.

The move in Inventory Levels led to subsequent increases in Warehousing Utilization (+6.5 to 69.4), Warehousing Prices (+3.0 to 73.8) and Transportation Utilization (+5.2 to 74.7).

At the same time, Warehousing Capacity (-3.0 to 47.5) moved back into contraction as more storage space is needed to accommodate increased inventories.



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US Logistics Growth Accelerates to 2022-Highs
The Logistics Manager’s Index in the US increased to 71.1 in June 2026 from 69.5 in May, pointing to the strongest growth in the logistics sector since March 2022. The upward push is mostly due to much faster expansion in Inventory Levels (+5.7 to 60.5), largely traced to surges among larger respondents and Downstream retailers. The push from retailers is likely representative that consumer spending has held through the first half of the year despite of inflation, giving retailers confidence in bringing forward goods for the second half of the year. Also, tariffs may increase in later July, so some of what we’re seeing is a pull-forward ahead of peak season. The move in Inventory Levels led to subsequent increases in Warehousing Utilization (+6.5 to 69.4), Warehousing Prices (+3.0 to 73.8) and Transportation Utilization (+5.2 to 74.7). At the same time, Warehousing Capacity (-3.0 to 47.5) moved back into contraction as more storage space is needed to accommodate increased inventories.
2026-07-07
US Logistics Activity Remains Robust
The Logistics Manager’s Index in the US declined to 69.5 in May 2026 from 69.9 in April, pointing to a slowdown in the logistics sector, although it is still the second fastest level of expansion since March 2022. Inventory levels slowed (-1.5 to 54.8) and warehousing capacity moved back from contraction to mild expansion (+5 to 50.5). Despite the slowdown in inventory expansion and increase in storage capacity, costs remain elevated. Inventory Costs are up (+9.4 to 84.1) which is the highest reading for this metric since May of 2022. Warehousing prices remain elevated as well (70.7 vs 72.7). Also, the transportation market has been tight, with prices growing at an unprecedented rate since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Transportation prices are up to a record high (+1 to 96). Transportation capacity continues to contract quickly (31.7 vs 28.4), and transportation utilization expansion remains elevated (69.5 vs 69.6).
2026-06-02
LMI at 4-Year High as Transport Costs Surge
The Logistics Manager’s Index in the US increased to 69.9 in April 2026 from 65.7 in March, pointing to the strongest growth in the logistic sector since March 2022. Transportation prices continue their sharp upward trajectory (95 vs 89.4), the second-fasted rate of expansion for this, or any, metric on record. At the same time, inventory costs (74.7 vs 76.2) and warehousing prices (72.7 vs 67.4) remained elevated. Meanwhile, transportation utilization increased (69.6 vs 62.9) but transportation capacity recorded the second lowest reading on record (28.4 vs 39.2). Freight markets were already on a strong upward trajectory coming into 2026, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent increase in fuel costs have supercharged these movements. Inventory level expanded faster (56.3 vs 54.8), as firms consolidate shipments to avoid transportation surcharges. Warehousing capacity (45.5 vs 46) fell faster but warehousing utilization (64.4 vs 59.8) expanded more.
2026-05-05