A key hindrance to growth is disappearing. |
Companies are still very cautious because the outlook is uncertain and jobs are an investment into the future. They know that 2006 will be a good year but also expect 2007 to be weaker and that's a reason to keep hiring on hold. |
Exports are strong and even consumption is beginning to bounce back. Companies appear to be willing to start hiring again. |
Exports are thriving, but will tail off at the end of the year as the world economy weakens. |
Order books are full and people are operating closer to capacity, so that companies are building up employment again. |
There will be a rude awaking early next year. We expect first-quarter gross domestic product to contract. |
These are not nice numbers. We don't expect a recession in Germany, but we are already moving towards stagnation. |
We expect unemployment to continue to decline over the course of this year and next. The increase in January provides no cause to change this upbeat assessment. |