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US protectionism: Significant knock-on effect on trade partners of targeted countries

Use of import tariffs by the US has doubled since 2009, with a sharp increase between 2016 and 2018. Nevertheless, these tariffs still only account for one-sixth of protectionist measures in place worldwide.

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Central & Eastern European insolvencies: The good times are over

Poland, Hungary and particularly Croatia registered significant surges in insolvencies while Slovakia and Czech Republic recorded decreases

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Political risks in Asia are on the rise

According to Coface’s Political Risk Index, Asia scored 45% on the latest risk ranking, above the world average of 35% (...)

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Coface announces CEE Top 500 companies: Household consumption boosts economic activity in CEE

The international credit insurance company Coface presents its tenth annual study on the biggest 500 companies in Central and Eastern Europe - the Coface CEE Top 500. It ranks the businesses by their turnover and additionally analyses further facts such as the number of employees, the framework of the companies, sectors and markets as well as the new Coface company credit assessments. The trend of the CEE Top 500 reflects developments in the region.

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Country and sector risks worldwide: Signals of risk on the increase in the 2nd quarter

Downgraded assessments in the majority this quarter

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Global metals sector: prices to continue to rise in 2018, ahead of a possible slight decline in 2019

On the back of highly-synchronised economic growth, technological shifts boosting a surge in the use of metals and a shortfall in supply, metals have been benefitting from a bull market since mid-2016.

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Election season in Latin America: Growing political risks undermine economic activity

The Coface Political Risk Index takes into consideration various risk aspects: political and social fragility issues, conflicts and terrorism.

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Western Balkans' accession to EU membership likely to be completed - supported by the region's strategic importance

The European Union - Western Balkans Summit will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on the 17th of May 2018. This meeting aims to reaffirm the EU’s commitment towards the Western Balkans gaining EU membership. Coface’s economists see the EU accession as likely to happen, particularly as it would counterbalance Russian and Chinese presence in the region.

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Africa: diminishing reserves increase risks of another crash

Adversely affected by the slump in raw material prices, most African currencies lost over 20% of their value between 2013 and 2016

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China Corporate Payment Survey 2018

The aim of this exercise is to better understand corporate credit management practices and payment experiences. In our latest survey, data collection was conducted during the final quarter of 2017, and valid responses were received from 1,003 companies.

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NAFTA renegotiations - could Mexico's "high-risk" automotive industry deteriorate into a crisis?

Mexico's automotive industry plays an important role in its economy.

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Poland Payment Survey 2018: Payment delays mounting amid robust economic growth

According to our analysis, covering a wide range of company sizes and sectors, sales on credit are made extensively, with all surveyed companies having written terms and conditions to this end, and that 99% of corporates continue to face payment delays, some of which are long and unlikely to be fulfilled.

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Although dynamic, France's organic food sector could be forced to abandon its original principles in order to increase scale

The increasing preference of households for organic food is reflected in the sector’s very strong growth which is expected to exceed €8 billion in 2017

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Germany's corporate payment survey 2017

The second annual corporate payment survey for Germany carried out by Coface confirms many of the foregone trends. However, some improvements can be seen.

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Poland Insolvency Report: Insolvencies and restructuring proceedings still on the rise, despite a robust economy

Insolvencies and restructuration proceedings increased by 14% in the first three quarters of 2017 compared to the same period last year. Most sectors experienced an increase in the number of proceedings.

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The effects of a "hard" Brexit will be decisive for the innovation capacity and competitiveness of the British automotive industry

After an exceptional peak in production of vehicles recorded in mid-2016 (1.02 million unit sales, up 8.5% for the January-August period compared to the same period in 2015), 2017 saw a drop in production of nearly 2%...

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Embargo on Qatar: Manageable for the time being, but not perennially

On June 5 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain (known as the quartet) announced they were breaking diplomatic ties with Qatar (...)

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China's ambitions in sub-Saharan Africa: efforts to rebalance bi-lateral relations still needed

Almost twenty years after the launch of the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China-Africa relations remain unbalanced. Bilateral trade has leaped over the past ten years (a total of $123 billion in 2016), driven, up to 2014, by exports, which have fallen by 51% since the peak.

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Coface appoints two new regional CEOs to lead Central & Eastern Europe and Northern Europe, effective November 1st 2017

Xavier Durand, Coface CEO, commented: "As we focus on executing our strategic plan, Fit to Win, these appointments bring a wealth of experience that helps drive our ongoing revitalisation and transformation into the most agile global trade credit partner in the industry."

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Financing businesses: the bond market is turning into a "spare tyre"...

Corporate bond financing: an advantage in times of crisis?

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