Manufacturing (east):
More scepticism again

In eastern Germany the worsening of the business situation is attributable to the unfavourable development in producer goods and capital goods. In both of these sectors the business outlook was estimated again more pessimistically than in the previous month (threatened strike in the metal industry!). On average, the order position deteriorated, and inventory pressure made itself more noticeable. Production plans continue to be revised downward. In western and in eastern Germany, enterprises expect producer prices to decrease in the coming months. The share of surveyed firms that reckon with further staff reductions increased in both survey areas.