Number of bankruptcies marginally down
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In April this year, 682 businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses) were declared bankrupt, a decrease by 28 from March.
The largest numbers of bankruptcies were recorded in the sectors construction and trade. Although, compared to March, bankruptcies declined in both sectors - in particular in the construction sector - the numbers were still very high in April.
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 considerably from month to month. Therefore, the three-month moving average is a more reliable indicator.
The three-month moving average stood at 717 in April, as against 734 in March. In March, the three-month moving average had reached its highest level since the beginning of the time series in 1981.
Bankruptcies of businesses and institutions (excluding one-man businesses)
More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.
For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.