Coface reports first-half net income of €123.2m, confirming an excellent start to the year. Turnover: €768m, up 7.4% at constant FX and perimeter.
The metals used in electric vehicles, such as lithium, cobalt and copper, are at the heart of the revolution currently taking place in the automotive industry. But imbalances between supply and demand are pushing up their prices, even though the market share of electric vehicles remains modest. In its latest analysis, Coface does not foresee any major changes in these price trends over the next two years.
18 months after the start of the pandemic, access to vaccination is now the main factor setting the pace of people's daily lives and the global economy. GDP growth forecasts for 2021 have been revised upwards (+5.6%), but this is mainly the result of positive surprises from the United States. These improved growth prospects are reflected in world trade: after a 5% decline in volume last year, Coface forecasts an 11% increase for 2021.
Remote work has emerged as a new norm during the Covid-19 pandemic. This cultural shift could allow companies located in developed countries to hire teleworking talent in emerging countries to reduce their labour costs.
Coface’s 2021 China Corporate Payment Survey shows that payment terms shortened by 11 days on average in 2020, falling to 75 days, while the distribution of credit terms leaned towards a shorter rather than longer period.
