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In the COVID-19 aftermath, Latin American exports towards China should continue to gain ground at the United States' expense

The trade relationship between China and Latin America has expanded considerably over the past two decades, gradually standing out (compared to the United States) as an important market for the region's exports.

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Has the global retail sector returned to normal?

The COVID-19 pandemic affected global retail activity through social distancing measures and store closures. Our Focus looks at varying effects across segments, as well as the outlook for the global retail sector.

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New wave of post-pandemic social movements: international trade as a collateral victim

While the restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to the resurgence of social movements, a new wave is on the horizon. The resurgence of mass protests, which had already been strong since 2017, mainly in emerging countries, is expected to accelerate again.

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Germany Corporate Payment Survey 2021

For the second consecutive year, although Germany experienced a strong recession, the number and duration of payment delays in the country both decreased. Learn more in the fifth edition of our Germany Corporate Payment Survey.

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What perspectives for the UAE after COVID-19?

Middle East & Turkey economist Seltem Iyigun investigates the perspectives for the United Arab Emirates following the coronavirus pandemic in this Coface Focus.

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Will the electric vehicle metals boom last?

Metals used in electric vehicles are in high demand, as these cars at the forefront of a revolution in the automotive industry. Stringent regulations, States' support schemes, and customers' willingness to buy and own EV are bolstering demand for these vehicles. However, imbalances between supply and demand are pushing prices higher, while EV market shares have not overtaken that of traditional engines.

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Country & Sector Risk Barometer: Q2 2021 Quarterly Update

Global GDP growth rate for 2021 revised upwards; Coface forecasting model indicates an 11% growth in world trade for this year.

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Asia Payment Survey 2021: Shorter payment delays amid support measures

More companies in Asia Pacific offered credit facilities in 2020 as competition intensified amid the challenging economic conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, firms had different responses to credit management despite facing similar economic shocks. Find out about them in our latest publication on Asia Pacific.

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The risks and opportunities of virtual offshoring

The cultural changes the pandemic has brought will continue to shape the economy for years to come. Among these, the normalization of remote work is one of the most consequential. If it can be done from home, could it be done from abroad? Check the risks and opportunities of virtual offshoring in our latest Focus by Marcos Carias our economist for Southern Europe and Coline Louis, Junior Economist.

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China Payment Survey 2021: Shorter credit terms for most sectors except construction, food and automotive

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.

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Germany: More insolvencies in the pipeline

Coface's Northern Europe economist, Christiane von Berg, examines Germany's "hidden insolvencies" in our Focus.

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Country & Sector Risk Barometer: Q1 2021 Quarterly Update

The United States leads the race to global recovery, emerging markets lag behind.

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No easy end to ongoing China-Australia tensions

The China-Australia bilateral relationship deteriorated sharply over 2020, with China imposing trade restrictions on a number of Australian exports. But there are growing concerns that an escalation of bilateral tensions will see China hardening its stance towards Australia.

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USA: Recovery plan paves way for record trade deficit

In our latest Focus on the United States, Coface's North America economist, Ruben Nizard, analyzes the economic legacy that President Joe Biden's administration must now manage.

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Insolvencies in France: +22,000 businesses left dangling

In France, the number of corporate insolvencies in January 2021 fell by 38% year-on-year - exactly the same drop as in 2020. Although the economic & health crisis has not affected all sectors the same way, insolvencies have fallen significantly across the board. However, taking into account government support measures and the drop in turnover by sector, insolvencies in France should have risen by 6.5% in 2020. Learn more about 2020's "hidden insolvencies" in our Focus.

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Middle East & Africa: volatile oil prices lead to varying effects on producing countries, including diversification

The COVID-19 pandemic's negative impact on global GDP growth and trade volumes caused a sharp decline in oil prices. Coface expects oil prices to remain volatile in the upcoming quarters. Read our forecasts in our latest Panorama.

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The business insolvency paradox in Europe: Miracle and mirage

Normally, insolvencies rise when the economy contracts. Yet, in 2020, insolvencies fell in all major eurozone economies. It is safe to assume that government support is keeping many fragile firms alive – are we therefore seeing the "calm before the storm", with a wave of insolvencies around the corner?

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Sector Risk Assessment Map - Q4 2020

13 major sectors assessed worldwide. Coface assessments are based on 75 years of Coface expertise and on the financial data published by listed companies from 6 geographical sectors. 5 financial indicators are taken into account: turnover, profitability, the net debt ratio, cashflow, and claims observed by our risk managers.

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Poland Corporate Payment Survey 2021: Amid support programmes, corporate payment delays have shortened during the pandemic

The fifth edition of Coface’s survey on corporate payment experience in Poland was carried out in November 2020, with 330 companies participating in the study, by Grzegorz Sielewicz, Coface Economist for Central & Eastern Europe.

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Country & Sector Risk Barometer: Q4 2020 Quarterly Update

In spite of a gradual recovery, political risks are on the rise. A year after the first cases of COVID-19 appeared outside China, the uncertainties linked to the pandemic are still considerable despite the announcement of the arrival of several vaccines at the end of 2020. These uncertainties can be summarised in one question: when can we expect herd immunity? This will depend on the speed at which the population is vaccinated and will condition the end of the "stop and go", i.e. successive containment processes that are harmful to economic activity.

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