Inventory Management in Russian Economy: Crisis and Post-crisis Adjustment

The article considers the stock changes and their relationship to changes in economic activity. Comprehensive statistical analysis covers accounting data, which are compiled on a quarterly basis, in relation with annual data of the system of national accounts. Methodological approaches to using composite leading indexes of economic activity to forecast future changes in inventories and explain turning points in their trend are examined. The article analyzes changes in inventory for 2005—2011 (in general and for different types of inventory) in the context of such approaches. It also presents international comparisons of inventory levels.