What's new

Coface places digital transformation at the heart of its strategy with launch of new customer portal

Coface’s new customer portal and fully revamped CofaNet online credit insurance contract management tool are being launched today. With the new solutions, customers will benefit from innovative features, unique access, customised content, advanced ergonomics, real time results displays and easier contacts.

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Rising political risks in developed countries: the sword of Damocles hangs over Europe’s major economies

Periods of economic crisis naturally lead to heightened political uncertainty and this aspect is crucial in assessing country risks

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New Germany Corporate Payment Survey 2016

Despite the solidity of Germany’s economy, payment delays are still commonplace

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Czech office of credit insurer Coface will lead new Country Manager, Pavel Schweiner

From September 1st 2016 Pavel Schweiner was appointed new Country Manager of Coface Czech Republic.

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Coface publishes CEE TOP 500 Companies: Biggest players benefit from favourable business conditions in CEE

2015 was a good year for Central and Eastern Europe. The average GDP growth was 3.3%, after 2.6% in 2014. Private consumption was rising due to declining unemployment and increasing wages. EU funds supported investments. In short: CEE was faced with a booming economy. But how did the largest businesses perform?

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Is the French economy definitely taking off?

A number of positive indicators for the French economy appeared between January and April 2016. Steady growth, which had begun in 2014 (+0.6% in Q1 2016 compared to Q4 2015) has gathered pace, driven by domestic demand.

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Steel overcapacity around the world: risk reaches a high in 2016

Following a long period of increasing demand, driven by China in the 2000s, steel is suffering from weak growth in the global economy.

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6. Coface Country Risk Conference 2016

„Changing global landscape. Opportunities and risks for Czech economy.“

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Coface Q1-2016 results: A tough quarter in a polarized environment

This has been a tough first quarter. Business turnover and profits were lower compared to the same period last year, against the backdrop of a polarized and volatile economic environment.

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Coface 2015 results: net income €126M and proposed dividend stable at €0.48 per share (5)

At the end of 2015, a year marked by a deterioration in the global economic environment, Coface recorded a slight increase in net income (group share), at €126M (€125M in 2014).

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Country risks again under tension in 2016

To be monitored: cheap oil, financial market volatility and the Chinese slowdown in advanceD countries and growing debt of companies in emerging countries

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Poland Retail Panorama: Household spending is supporting the economy but challenges remain

The Polish retail sector benefits from increasing household consumption and rising consumer sentiment. As a result retailers have been able to generate higher turnover, but an intense competition and deflation period imposed reduced margins and low profits.

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Coface launches Policy Master – Customized service tool enables more efficient credit insurance management

Coface pursues its strategy of innovation, expanding its online offer with Policy Master, an online application that will help clients in handling their policy more efficiently. With this new tool Coface facilitates credit organisation teams’ risk management by reducing administrative work and introducing alerts and notifications for clients.

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Country risk assessment map - 3rd quarter 2015

This map gives you a global overview of country risk assessments. Coface's methodology in assessing country risk uses macroeconomic expertise, comprehension of the business environment and microeconomic data collected over 70 years of payment experience.

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Is a Chinese shadow cast over Asia?

China is trying to find a way to achieve healthier, more sustainable growth, but this is not completely painless for its economy – or for those of its neighbours. According to Coface estimates, growth is unlikely to exceed 6.7% in 2015 and 6.2% in 2016, compared with 13.4% over the period 2006-2007. This is mainly a result of the technological and capital catch-up process running out of steam: several industries are suffering from overcapacity and corporate indebtedness is high, thus impacting investment. We are witnessing a shift in the Chinese economic model. Which Asian countries will be the first victims if there is a hard landing? And which will enjoy the greatest immunity?

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Company insolvencies in Western Europe: a drop of 7% expected in 2015 but situation is contrasted

Company insolvencies in Western Europe have experienced two successive storms. The subprime crisis, which made insolvencies jump by an average of +11% in the twelve countries studied was, unsurprisingly, followed by further shock waves, with increases of +8% in 2012 and +5% in 2013. Today the skies have begun to clear. The average drop of 9% observed in 2014 will continue with -7% in 2015 . While insolvencies continue to increase in Italy and Norway, they are seeing the positive impact of the timid recovery in the eurozone in ten other countries (Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom and Sweden).

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Coface CEE Top 500 companies

•2014: A year of improvement throughout the region - turnover increased by +2.1%
•Higher turnover of the biggest companies reflected better economic prospects in 2014
•Poland was the biggest player, Hungary had the highest growth rate and the Czech Republic recovered
•Sectors: Automotive industry (+10.6%) top, oil & gas sector flop (-3.9%)

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The CEE automotive sector is highly dependent on foreign investments - but there are positive dynamics in domestic demand

The CEE region has become an attractive destination for investments by global car manufacturers. In 2014, 3.6 million vehicles were produced in Eastern Europe, equating to 21% of total EU production. In the CEE countries covered by Coface´s analysis there are 33 car factories, most of which were created by foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. The analysis shows that despite high dynamics of car sales generated by local clients recently, CEE factories remain highly dependent on foreign demand.

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Is India’s economic revival thanks to the Modi government?

In May 2015, the IMF highlighted India as “one of the bright spots in the global economy”, mainly due to more effective policies and the end of political uncertainty. Coface expects the country’s GDP growth to reach 7.5%. But to what extent have Modi’s reforms contributed to the recent pickup in growth? Are the improvements in the economy without risks?

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Sub-Saharan Africa: three East African economies are sheltered from the economic storm

Although growth was accelerated by the high prices of commodities on which sub-Saharan Africa is highly dependent, the region must now deal with the effects of falling oil prices. The 45 countries screened by Coface are affected to different degrees.

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