Reduction manufacturing stocks stable

Manufacturers had reduced their stocks of finished products by almost 13 percent in May 2010 compared with May 2009. The reduction in May was in the same order of magnitude as in previous months. For more than a year, stocks have continually been lower than one year previously, but the level of reduction is stable now. The index stocks of finished products (2005=100) remains stable at 96.5. The reduction of manufacturing stocks occurred simultaneously with a further increase in manufacturing turnover in May.

Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)

Opinions on stocks somewhat more negative

The Business Sentiment Survey for the manufacturing industry provides a first indication of the development of the index stocks of finished products in the near future. In this survey, manufacturers are invited to define their current stocks of finished products as too large (negative), normal or too small (positive) in relation to projected sales. These results are available two months earlier than data on the stocks of finished products.

Manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks were somewhat more negative in July 2010. Manufacturers evaluating their stocks as too large slightly outnumbered those evaluating them as too small.
Manufacturers are obviously more positive about the level of their stocks than a year ago. This optimism is consistent with the reduction during the past year.

Opinions on stocks of finished products