Construction (east):
Stable capacity utilisation

Little change in the unsatisfactory business situation in east German construction was reported, with more negative assessments coming from structural engineering than from civil engineering. Equipment utilisation (71%) as well as order reserves (2.1 months) remained unchanged, on average, but both values were higher than those of the previous year (66%;1.9 months). Pessimism in the expectations has abated both in structural and in civil engineering. Sales prices in east Germany may come under some pressure again, but in the west the contractors hope to introduce slight price increases. Staff reductions will continue, at an even faster rate in east Germany, according to the survey responses.