Marginal increase in stocks of finished products

Manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were up by 1.4 percent in May from May 2012. In April, manufacturers’ stocks were up by 3.6 percent from one year previously. Figures on stocks have been adjusted for price changes.

Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)

More manufacturers defining stocks as too large

The Business Sentiment Survey for the Manufacturing Industry provides a first indication for further developments 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 were far more negative about the size of their stocks in July than in June. The number of manufacturers defining their stocks as too large has exceeded the number of manufacturers defining their stocks as too small for well over two years now.

Opinions on stocks of finished products

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