The International Debt Collections Handbook is a key tool for businesses when it comes to making decisions concerning collections in foreign countries.
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Access a snapshot of the credit risk situation and business performance of 14 major industries in your country. The forecast is based on the assessment of Atradius underwriters.
Average payment duration in the food sector is 40 days, and the amount of payment delays and insolvencies remains low compared to other Dutch industries.
As food processors and retailers demand longer payment terms from their suppliers, a wave of longer payment terms is being created along the supply chain.
The outlook for food exports remains positive, with further demand growth from overseas expected, due to the strong reputation of “Made in Italy” food.
Key challenges for food retailers are the increasingly competitive market environment and the very high wage pressure, which is diminishing profit margins.
The recent profit margin increase is expected to bottom out in the coming months due to a slowdown in inflation and increasing competition in food retail.
The average payment duration in the food industry is 60 days, and the number of payment delays remained low in 2017, with no increase expected in 2018.
Overcapacity remains the main challenge, as the rebalancing of the economy from investment and export-driven growth towards private consumption continues.
The steel and metals sector remains resilient for the time being, but the market environment is turning increasingly difficult with more downside risks.
Demand from construction and automotive as key buyer sectors has been robust in 2017, and steel price increases have been pushed through the supply chain.
While in general insolvencies are not expected to rise sharply, an increase in business failures in Puerto Rico and the Houston area cannot be ruled out.
Export orientation and diversification are key factors for business success in a business environment characterised by overcapacity and volatile prices.
Due to a high non-performing assets level banks remain reluctant to provide loans, and external financing at competitive conditions remains a challenge.
Payment experience has been good over the past two years, and steel and metals insolvencies decreased in 2016, with a stable outlook for 2017 and 2018.
Banks have generally tightened their lending policies for steel businesses due to the fierce competitive environment and still subdued domestic demand.
Revenues of the engineering services industry have rebounded since 2015 as greater liquidity in financial markets helped to boost construction spending.
Profit margins have increased over the last 12 months due to the benign business environment, however, a slight decline cannot be ruled out in the future.
Due to deteriorated results and margins, as well as increased payment delays and insolvencies our underwriting stance remains restrictive for the sector.
The proportion of domestic and foreign past due B2B invoices in Hong Kong (domestic: 50.0%; foreign: 50.3%) is higher than that recorded at regional level.
The total value of B2B sales on credit in Japan increased this year to 53.7%. Of the Asia Pacific countries surveyed, Japan was the most credit-friendly.
Private consumption is driven by wage growth while export growth is driven by Eurozone demand and the country´s improved international competitiveness.
Hungary´s economic growth is expected to rebound in 2017 and 2018 after a slowdown in 2016, but the high level of external debt remains a major weakness.
GDP is expected to grow 4.2% in 2017 and 3.7% in 2018, driven strong private consumption and rising investments including structural funds from the EU.
Despite the current rebound the long-term prospect for higher growth rates is subdued due to structural weaknesses and the negative impact of sanctions.
GDP growth is robust, but risks in the banking and corporate sectors have increased while high dependence on capital inflow remains a major vulnerability.
After a minor increase from 47.6% in 2015 to 48.4% in 2016, the percentage of overdue B2B invoices appears to be flattening out, rising to 48.8% in 2017.