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. Data are used by: the Executive Branch of the government for developing economic, fiscal, and monetary policy; the Bureau of Economic Analysis as components of the gross domestic product estimates;and trade associations, corporate economists, and other members of the business community as an analytical tool for assessing the current and future economic condition of the country.