Number of bankruptcies drops back to low December level

In February 2007, nearly 270 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) went bankrupt. This is a reduction by 32 percent on February 2006.

As the number of businesses declared bankrupt in a particular month is closely related to the number of days courts are in session, it may vary strongly from month to month. Therefore, the three-monthly moving average is a more reliable indicator.

In February, the three- monthly moving average stood at 311, i.e. 18 down on January and thus returned to the level of December 2006. After a period of steady decline, the three-monthly moving average reached its lowest point in four-and-a-half years in December.

In 2006, more than 4,200 businesses and institutions went bankrupt, a reduction by nearly 900 relative to 2005. The amount of bankruptcies in the sectors manufacturing industry and financial services decreased considerably last year, whereas bankruptcies increased in the sector hotels and restaurants.

Bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses)