This year only 6.500 companies are expected to go bankrupt. (Atradius). Companies will profit of the growth in demand for products and services and the improved financial conditions due to the low interest rate. Compared to 2007 this is still 42% higher though.
Construction sector bankruptcies
In construction and non-food retail the number of defaulters is still high. In the engineering industrie the number is increasing. According to Atradius many construction companies are vulnerable since their buffers have vaporized due to the crisis. Profit margins have been very low and sometimes even negative. Engineering is doing worst.
Non-Food Retail sector bankruptcies
The bankruptie of fashionchains Miss Etam and Mexx demonstrate the situation in non-food retail. Atradius expects the number of bankruptcies in this sector to remain high.
Prognoses for the Netherlands
Internationaly speaking the Dutch number of bankruptcies is average. Prospects are looking good due to an increase in export, consumerexpenses and companyinvestments. However many companies have low reserves. A little push could turn them over.
