02 Oct 26
Germany’s chemical-sector business climate improved for a second consecutive month in September. In its latest survey release, ifo reported that the index rose to +5.5 points from -2.6 in August, with companies again assessing their current business situation positively.
Expectations strengthened sharply, moving from -15.0 points to +2.3 points. ifo said customers in Germany and abroad were rebuilding inventories and accepting higher prices, while exports, manufacturing-sector orders, and spending on defence and infrastructure supported demand for intermediate goods.
The institute nonetheless described the recovery as fragile. Order backlogs remain very low, earnings are still under pressure from high costs, and companies are planning further job cuts. ifo said recent price competitiveness partly reflects temporary production losses and supply-chain disruption in the Gulf region rather than a resolution of structural location disadvantages.
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