Imports and inventories stabilize in 2026, but for how long

Chart of the Week: Import Ocean TEUs Volume Index – USA, Logistics Managers’ Index – Inventory Levels SONAR : IOTI. USA, LMI. INVL Import bookings (IOTI) have been averaging lower than the previous two years, while inventory levels have been fairly stable according to the Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI). Bookings activity combined with inventory data points to a steady but tight inventory management environment — one of the tightest of the post-COVID era. This also means many companies may be exposed to missed revenue in the fourth quarter as they try to mitigate the rising costs of holding too much for too long.