Construction (east):
More favourable production outlook

In eastern Germany disappointment over the current situation increased somewhat. The business expectations still reveal unchanged scepticism. Equipment utilisation at 65% was again more than the previous-month level and slightly more than twelve months ago. The depth of order reserves, however, remained unchanged (2.0 months). While in western Germany the pressure on prices was tempered somewhat, it has increased in eastern Germany. For the next months the western German enterprises expect moderate increases, and the eastern German firms expect at least stabilisation. Staff reductions should slow down somewhat according to the survey responses.