Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3)

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Summary

The Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey provides broad-based, monthly statistical data on economic conditions in the domestic manufacturing sector. The survey measures current industrial activity and provides an indication of future business trends.

Agency DOC, CENSUS
Data Checkup

Historical Data Availability

No Known Issue

Future Data Availability

No Known Issue

Data Quality

No Known Issue

Statutory Context

Moderate Risk
Statutory authorization is vague, but information is required to support a principal federal economic indicator.

Staffing and Funding

Moderate Risk
From FY2024 to FY2026, the Census Bureau has lost more than 2,500 staff (~20%). While the FY27 President's Budget requests an approximately 30% increase for the Census Bureau, the proposal recommends reductions to many programs and surveys. In May 2026, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the budget, proposing level funding at FY26 levels.

Policy

No Known Issue
Last updated: 2026-06-22

Details

OMB Control Number 0607-0008
Authorizing Statutes 13 USC 131, 182, 193
Related ICRs
Reference Number Title Agency Status Request Type
202312-0607-002 Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey DOC/CENSUS Active
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
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