Extruders feeling positive on 2019 demand despite negative economic news

摘要

New data suggests that European construction and engineering markets slowed during Q42018 in response to weakening economic momentum in Europe. In December, the EuropeanCommission reported a 1.2% reduction in EU28 monthly construction output betweenSeptember and October 2018. Within these figures, France accounted for a 5.9% m/mreduction while Italy and Spain declined by 1.6% and 0.8%. Meanwhile, Germany and UKoutput declined by more modest rates of rates of 0.3% and 0.2%. A slowdown in constructionoutput was also confirmed by new sales data from SIG, a building materials group. Thismonth, SIG reported a 4.7% reduction in revenue during the second half of 2018. The newfigures represent an acceleration from the 3.6% reduction reported for the July to Octoberperiod. Within these figures, sales in the UK declined by 8.8% while France and Germanydeclined by respective rates of 3.2% and 4.2%. The company cited macroeconomicuncertainty and a challenging UK construction environment as the leading factors behind thedrop-off in sales.