The Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) for June has increased 1.6 points month-on-month to sit at 71.1, the first time the index has been above 70 since March 2022 (76.2) and which is indicative of a “significant rate of expansion”.

The June LMI is well above the all-time average of 61.6. 

The LMI is produced by researchers at Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Florida Atlantic University, Rutgers University, and the University of Nevada, Reno in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), using responses from supply chain professionals.

It is calculated on a combination of eight unique components which make up the logistics industry, including: Inventory Levels and Costs, Warehousing Capacity, Utilisation, and Prices, and Transportation Capacity, Utilisation, and Prices.

A reading above 50.0 indicates logistics is expanding in the US; a reading below 50.0 indicates a shrinking logistics industry.

“The moves in the logistics industry reflect (and often precede) the movements in the overall economy,” LMI authors states. 

“The economy continues to be in an interesting place this month as supply chains continue to adjust to disruptions caused by war, tariffs, and the resulting inflation. Trade policy remains a source of uncertainty in the global economy.

“This [June’s] robust rate of expansion is driven primarily by larger respondents, who saw significantly faster expansion in logistics activity at 71.3 than smaller respondents who reported more moderate (but still robust) expansion at 63.3,” the June LMI states. 

LMI authors say the upward push from June “stems from much faster expansion in Inventory Levels (+5.7 to 60.5)”. The move was more pronounced later in June, as expansion rates went from moderate expansion at 55.4 early in the month to robust growth at 66.3 later on. 

“The move in Inventory Levels led to subsequent increases in Warehousing Utilisation (+6.5), Warehousing Prices (+3.0) and Transportation Utilisation (+5.2),” the June LMI states.

“At the same time, we see Warehousing Capacity (-3.0 to 47.5) moving back into contraction as more storage space is needed to accommodate increased inventories. This level of Inventory Level expansion is a flip from what we have seen for most of 2026.”

The LMI states the push from retailers is likely representative of two factors.

“In spite of inflation, consumer spending has held through the first half of the year, giving retailers confidence in bringing forward goods for the second half of the year,” it reads.

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

Respondents to the LMI monthly survey for June, were asked to predict its overall movement in the next 12 months.

Predictions for the index are 70.6, which report authors say is driven by the continued upward shift in anticipated inventory strategies.