Increase in manufacturing stocks
In February 2011, manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were over 2 percent up on February 2010. For the second month running, stocks of finished products were higher than one year previously. It should, however, be borne in mind that, with approximately 15 percent, the largest reduction of stocks occurred in the first months of 2010.
The index stocks of finished products (2005=100) stood at 99.6, nearly 1 point below the January level.
Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)
Manufacturers’ opinions on stocks much more negative
The Business Sentiment Survey for the Manufacturing Industry provides a first indication for the 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.
In April, far more manufacturers evaluated their stocks as too large than as too small. This is a considerable deterioration relative to the situation in March, when manufacturers considering their stocks as too small constituted the majority.
Opinions on stocks of finished products
