Smaller decrease in manufacturers' stocks

Manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were nearly 1 percent down in September 2012 on September 2011. The decrease was smaller than in August, when stocks decreased by nearly 3 percent compared to one year previously. The index stocks of finished products stood at 106.2 in September (2005=100), compared to 107.0 in August.

Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)

Manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks hardly changed

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 hardly changed in November. Manufacturers defining their stocks as too large have outnumbered those defining their stocks as too small for over a year and a half now.

Opinions on stocks of finished products

For more information on economic indicators, see the Economic Monitor.