Manufacturers expect investments to drop
In the spring of 2009, manufacturers estimated investments to drop by 10 percent in 2009 relative to 2008. In all sectors of industry, manufacturers anticipate a decline. Companies in the metal and electro-technical industry expect a 14 percent downturn. Manufacturers of food, drinks and tobacco and chemical products are the least pessimistic; they expect investments to drop by 6 percent.
In the autumn of 2008, manufacturers were still slightly optimistic about their investments in 2009, anticipating a limited growth. It is not uncommon for companies to upgrade or downgrade their expectations after some time, as they gain more insight into delays, postponements or acceleration of projected investments.
The spring survey on projected investments in manufacturing industry was conducted in February 2009. The autumn survey was held in September 2008.
Investments by manufacturing companies (2009 based on expectations)
