Growth manufacturing stocks slows down

Manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were nearly 7 percent higher in December 2011 than in December 2010. The growth was substantially below the November level , when stocks grew by 11 percent. Stocks of finished products have been continuously above the level of twelve months previously for almost a year now, but growth has slowed down over the last months. The index stocks of finished products (2005=100) stood at 102.9 in December, versus 109.5 in November.

Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)

Manufacturers’ opinions about their stocks improved marginally in February

The Business Sentiment Survey for the Manufacturing Industry provides a first indication for further development of the index stocks of finished products. 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 stocks of finished products.

Manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks improved somewhat in February. The balance of positive and negative answers was – 3 versus – 4 in January. Manufacturers considering their stocks as too large have outnumbered those considering their stocks as too small for almost twelve months now, but since the summer, the gap has narrowed. Manufacturers’ more positive opinions about their stocks appear to be in line with the declining growth of their stocks.

Opinions on stocks of finished products