Umfrage: Ifo-Geschäftsklima in der Chemie verschlechtert sich
Deutsche Chemieunternehmen erhalten mehr Aufträge und wollen die Produktion ausweiten. Trotzdem fällt das Ifo-Geschäftsklima im Oktober ins Minus. Die Betriebe planen weitere Stellenstreichungen.
The business climate in Germany's chemical industry deteriorated in October, according to a survey by the Munich Ifo Institute. The index fell to minus 5.9 points, down from plus 3.0 points in September. "Restructurations and site closures in the chemical sector are causing concern among companies," said Ifo industry expert Anna Wolf.
The companies evaluated their current business situation less positively. Their business expectations dropped significantly to minus 13.8 points, from minus 1.5 points. However, there are signs of hope in the industry: demand increased in October compared to September, and new orders rose, according to the Ifo. Companies therefore plan to expand production and raise prices further.
They managed to utilize their capacities better at 76.6 percent, up from 73.4 percent in July. The orders in October mainly came from the domestic processing industries, while foreign business weakened. "German chemical products are in demand," said Wolf. Although the companies assessed their earnings situation less negatively than in the first half of the year, they plan further personnel cuts due to necessary restructuring.
"The state of the competitive situation domestically and abroad has changed little," explained the Ifo researcher.
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