Wholesaling: price increases expected

In June more wholesalers gave negative assessments of their current business situation than in May, but for the coming months fewer expected a worsening. Order stocks are still appraised as too high. Consequently firms have more restrictive order plans and intend to order less than at the same time last year. Their employment plans are also geared to reductions, but these will not be as strong as in the previous three months. Prices have stabilised after the declines since mid-2008. In the coming months firms see the likelihood of price increases.