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About Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey is to provide broad-based monthly statistical data on current economic conditions and indications of future production commitments in the manufacturing sector.

COVERAGE

The M3 is based upon data reported from manufacturing establishments with $500 million or more in annual shipments. Units may be divisions of diversified large companies, large homogenous companies, or single-unit manufacturers in 89 industry categories.

CONTENT

The M3 provides statistics on manufacturers' value of shipments, new orders (net of cancellations), end-of-month order backlog (unfilled orders), end-of-month total inventory, materials and supplies, work-in-process, and finished goods inventories (at current cost or market value). Data are collected and tabulated predominantly by 6-digit NAICS (North American Industry Classification System).

FREQUENCY

The survey has been conducted monthly by the US Census Bureau since 1957.

METHODS

Data are collected by FAX image capture (PFIRS) and Internet-based survey form (Centurion). Data describe activities taking place during the calendar month.

PRODUCTS

There are two press releases per month. The first, Advance Report on Durable Goods Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders is available about 18 working days after each month. The second, Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders includes durable and non-durable manufacturing and is available about 23 working days after each month.

USES

Bureau of Economic Analysis uses M3 data to make GDP estimates and compiles the principal economic indicator series. The Federal Reserve Board, Department of Treasury, Council of Economic Advisers develop fiscal and monetary policy. Corporate economists, trade associations, news media, academia, investment consultants, and researchers use M3 data for analysis and forecasting of future economic conditions.

HISTORICAL RELEASES SCHEDULE:

Select a year 1990 PDF file [.37mb] 1991 PDF file [.42mb] 1992 PDF file [.41mb] 1993 PDF file [.36mb] 1994 PDF file [.34mb] 1995 PDF file [.42mb] 1996 PDF file [.39mb] 1997 PDF file [.41mb] 1998 PDF file [.37mb] 1999 PDF file [.59mb] 2000 PDF file [.99mb] 2001 PDF file [.99mb] 2002 PDF file [.63mb] 2003 PDF file [.62mb] 2004 PDF file [.08mb] 2005 PDF file [.08mb] 2006 PDF file [.08mb] 2007 PDF file [.12mb] 2008 PDF file [.20mb] 2009 PDF file [.12mb] 2010 PDF file [.12mb]