Supply Chain Research

The outlook for exports among French and German businesses took a downturn in the January surveys. A net 11% of French managers now expect a downturn. In Germany 5.9% expect growth, but that was the lowest ratio since April 2016. Worsening sentiment toward the outcome of Brexit talks, and resulting supply chain disruptions, were a likely factor in declining optimism. A worsening outlook for the automotive industry is also blamed for the decline in Germany. With U.S. seaborne imports of auto-components and vehicles having risen by just 2.9% year over year in December there may be a downtu...