The monthly Logistics Manager’s Index (LMI) was just released. Here is a quick summary of some key points from this month’s release, with a link to the full online report at the bottom.

1. Index Climbs to 70.7 — Third Reading Above 70 in Five Months
• The LMI reads 70.7 in October, up 0.5 points from September’s 70.2 and the second-highest reading in four years, behind only June’s 71.1. It is up 13.3 points from a year ago.
• The 2026 average of 67.4 is the second-highest calendar-year average in the index’s 10-year history, behind only 2021 and well above 2025’s 58.7.
2. Retailers Stock Up for the Holidays — Inventory Levels Hit a 4-Year High
• Inventory Levels jumped 8.0 points to 66.9, the fastest expansion since September 2022. Downstream retailers (69.6) have now overtaken Upstream firms (64.1), reversing September’s pattern, and growth accelerated through the month (61.8 early, 72.1 late).
• Port of Los Angeles projects imports up 33–54% year-over-year through mid-November, and the L.A./Long Beach ports reached a deal in late October that reduces the risk of an early-November strike.
3. Inventory Costs Surge to Their Highest Level Since March 2022 (....)