News and Publications
11/28/2016
Country risk and economic studies

Six Downgrades Reflect Precarious Global Risk Situation

Global sector risks in precarious balance

Sector assessments revised in 6 global regions

  • North America: Downgrades for retail, textiles/clothing, transportation and paper/wood
  • Western Europe: Downgrade for agrofood
  • Central Europe: Construction and information/communication technologies (ICT) downgraded; transportation upgraded
  • Middle East: Downgrade for ICT

nearly one-third of sectors downgraded In 2016

During the course of the year, Coface issued 23 downgrades and 10 upgrades across the 12 sectors evaluated in six regions of the world.

The trend is likely to continue into 2017. Global growth is still weak at an estimated 2.6%. Low commodity prices are weighing on the profitability of many sectors. The increase in political risk, provoked by uncertainties linked to the Donald Trump victory in the US presidential elections, toBrexit,and to a number of political events in Europe, could lead companies in developed countries to postpone investment decisions.

 

North America weakens

This quarter, North America is the region most weakened by the increase in risks. After a net reduction in company insolvencies in 2014 (-16%) and 2015 (-12%,) insolvencies are expected to stabilize in 2016, and then increase slightly in 2017 (+1%.) The sectors that depend on household consumption will suffer most from the slowdown in growth. The rate of increase in retail sales is already down one point as of July 2016, compared to the previous year. The second increase in key lending rates since the 2008 financial crisis, which is expected in December, will increase the cost of loans and affect purchasing habits in poorer households.

  • This has led Coface to downgrade its assessments of the retail and textiles/clothing sectors to “high risk.”
  • Although the transport sector in North America has benefitted from low oil prices and the effects of 2008-2011 bailout, prospects are gloomy because of the downturn in consumption, particularly with regard to air traffic. It is now evaluated as “medium risk.”
  • The paper/wood sector suffered from a situation in the construction market in the United States. From January to September 2016, growth in construction permits dropped from +12.5% to +2.3%. The risk in the sector is now “high.”

credit risk increases in Europe

Credit risks are increasing in Europe, despite a slight drop in the number of insolvencies.

In Western Europe, the agrofood sector was downgraded to “high risk.” European grain producers, particularly in France and Germany, have suffered from an adverse two-fold effect of prices and volumes - unprecedentedly low production in an environment of low prices worldwide.

Central Europe saw two sectors downgraded (construction and ICT) and one upgraded (transportation.)

  • The situation in the construction sector, downgraded to “high risk,” is worsening because of the freezing of infrastructure projects in Poland, which could become the first European country to be penalized for non-compliance with European regulations on public deficit.
  • The ICT sector, downgraded to “medium risk,” has suffered from moderate consumption, particularly due to the slowdown in global sales of smartphones. Credit risk is increasing because of downward pressure on prices and hence on company margins.
  • The transport sector, the only one to be upgraded (to “medium risk,”) benefits from the trend in consumption in the region and satisfactory growth prospects in the Eurozone. The sector only suffered in Poland, from its exposure to the United Kingdom. 

Middle East: the ICT sector is robust but risky

In the Middle East, the risks in three-quarters of sectors are considered as “high” or “very high.” The most recent sector downgraded to “very high” risk is ICT, where margins have been affected by the market downturn, primarily linked to the drop in oil revenues. Moreover, re-exports to Iran will decrease, given the lifting of sanctions. Finally, the existence of a black market that is difficult to control has also contributed to the drop in profits on the legal market.

 

BAROMETER OF SECTOR RISKS - 4TH QUARTER 2016

 

  • Sector barometer
  • Sector files

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INFOGRAPHICS : SECTOR RISK ASSESSMENT - 4TH QUARTER 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download this press release : Six Downgrades Reflect Precarious Global Risk Situation (299.31 kB)

Contact


Annie Lorenzana

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
North America
MOB: +1 (407) 221-3496
Annie.Lorenzana@coface.com

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