Increase in manufacturers' stocks slightly less substantial
In July 2012, manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were 2 percent up from July 2011. The increase was slightly less substantial than in May and June. The index stocks of finished products stood at 109.0 in July (2005=100), almost the same as in June (109.1).
Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)
Manufacturers slightly more negative about stocks
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 small (positive), normal, or too large (negative) 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 marginally in September. On balance, 5 percent of manufacturers considered their stocks as too large, as against 4,2 percent in August. Manufacturers defining their stocks as too large have outnumbered those defining their stocks as too small for eighteen months now.
Opinions on stocks of finished products
For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.