Construction (east):
Larger order reserves

Also in eastern Germany the assessments of the business situation and outlook were by far less negative than in the previous month. Here order reserves at 2.0 months were larger than in January last year. Equipment utilisation (59%), however, was clearly under the previous-year level. While the enterprises in western Germany expect to achieve higher prices in the next months, price pressure in eastern Germany might grow stronger, according to the survey responses. In western Germany an easing of the employment situation is evident.