Decrease in manufacturers' stocks
In August 2012, manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were down nearly 3 percent on August 2011. Stocks decreased for the first time in more than eighteen months. The index stocks of finished products stood at 107.1 in August (2005=100), as against 109.3 in July.
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 October. Manufacturers defining their stocks as too large have outnumbered those defining their stocks as too small for about eighteen months now.
Opinions on stocks of finished products
For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.