Sustained reduction manufacturing stocks

In August, manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were more than 6 percent lower than in the same month last year. The reduction was smaller than in the preceding months. For nearly eighteen months now, stocks of finished products have consistently been lower than twelve months previously. The stocks of finished products index (2005=100) was 94.9 in August, i.e. 0.3 of a point down on July and the lowest value since the series was started in 2004.

Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)

Manufacturers slightly more pleased with stock levels  

The Business Sentiment Survey for the manufacturing industry gives a first indication of the development of the stocks of finished products index 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.

In October 2010, manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks were slightly more positive than in September. In September, sentiments had deteriorated slightly. Slightly more manufacturers evaluated their stocks as too large than as too small. In recent months, manufacturers were less pleased about the level of their stocks. From early 2009 until May 2010, manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks had gradually improved.

Opinions on stocks of finished products