Higher stocks in manufacturing industry
In May 2012, manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were nearly 3 percent up from twelve months previously. The increase in May was more substantial than in April (1.5 percent). The stocks of finished products index stood at 108.3 in May (2005=100) versus 105.6 in April.
Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)
Manufacturers’ opinions about their stocks deteriorated in July
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 deteriorated in July. The balance of positive and negative answers was -5.5 versus -3 in June. Manufacturers defining their stocks as too large have outnumbered those defining their stocks as too small for over a year now. The gap has remained fairly stable over the first six months of 2012. The growth of manufacturing stocks has been slowing down gradually since the summer of 2011.
Opinions on stocks of finished products
