Stocks of finished products declining
Manufacturers’ stocks of finished products were down by 2.7 percent in June 2013 relative to June 2012. The decline was preceded by a six-month period in which stocks of finished products have always been higher than twelve months previously. Figures on stocks have been adjusted for price changes.
Stocks of finished products in manufacturing industry (volume)
Fewer manufacturers evaluate their 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 obviously less negative about the size of their stocks in August than in July. Manufacturers defining their stocks as too large have continually outnumbered those defining their stocks as too small for a period of more than two years now.
Opinions on stocks of finished products
For more information on economic indicators, see the Economic Monitor.