AI Data Insight
The latest US ISM Services Imports PMI for the second quarter of 2026 dropped to 51.1, a significant decline from the previous 54.7, though it remains in expansionary territory. Although the headline Services PMI rebounded to a better-than-expected 54.5, the drop in the imports sub-index reflects market risk aversion towards Middle East geopolitics and potential tariff policies. To cope with rising fuel and freight rates, companies accelerated inventory building, driving inventory metrics to historical highs and highlighting the suppressive effect of supply chain risks on import activities.