Growth in manufacturing stocks continues

In March 2011, manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were over 6 percent up on March 2010. For the third month running, stocks of finished products were higher than one year previously. It should, however, be borne in mind that the most substantial stock reduction (approximately 15 percent) occurred in the first months of 2010.

The index stocks of finished products (2005=100) stood at 101.8, nearly 1 point above the February level.

Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)

Manufacturers’ opinions on stocks improved somewhat, but remain negative

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.

In May, manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks improved somewhat, after the considerable deterioration in April. Altogether, manufacturers evaluating their stocks as too large in May vastly outnumbered those who thought their stocks were too small.

Opinions on stocks of finished products