Global Business Failures Report

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Global Business

Failures Report

Global Business Failures—Insights

• Reflecting the uneven pattern of global growth, business failures continued to show mixed results across world regions in Q1 2012.

• Business failures decreased strongly in North America, but rose sharply in Eastern Europe in Q1 2012. • Insolvencies fell in Euroland, although this was largely due to strong improvement in Germany. • Insolvency levels will remain elevated in H2 2012 due to adverse global economic conditions. • Rising insolvency levels:Australia, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain.

• Falling insolvency levels:Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, US.

Recent Developments: Global Business Failures Fall Year on Year

Outlook: Insolvency Risk Will Remain Elevated in H2 2012

3 Key Insight: Insolvency Risk Rises In Indebted Euro-zone Economies and Elsewhere

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3 Sectoral Developments in Advanced Countries

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3 Developments in other Countries

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80 90 100 110 120 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08 Q3 Q1 07

Global Insolvency Data for Q1 2012 D&B Global Insolvency Index

(Q2 2010=100)

Note: See Glossary and Methodology at the end of the report for an explanation of the D&B Global Insolvency Indexused in the chart and for a definition of the regions used in the table.

Sources: National Statistics Offices, D&B

D&B Global Insolvency Index

Year on year change (%) Q1 12 yr to Q1 World 90.2 -5.8 -3.8 Advanced economies 88.3 -8.3 -4.8 North America 75.0 -17.5 -13.9 Euroland 103.7 -1.9 2.6 Nordic Region 94.6 -6.2 -5.3

Emerging economies (ex. China) 105.5 14.7 4.8

Emerging Asia (ex. China) 103.2 2.3 -4.1

Eastern Europe 118.2 35.4 9.8

Recent Developments: Global Business Failures Fall Year on Year

The number of global business failures as measured by D&B's Global Insolvency Index fell further in Q1, despite growing signs of a slowdown in major emerging markets (crucially China) and the euro zone; the index fell to 90.2, down from 93.5 in Q4 2011 and from 95.8 in Q1 2011; this was a 3.5% quarter-on-quarter decline and a 5.8% year on year (y/y) decline (after falling 2.7% y/y in Q4 2011). The improvement reflects the benefits of the economic recovery in some regions, notably in the US, underlining the global economic recovery's still-favourable effects on the business climate since mid-2009. On a more cautious note, the y/y improvement masks knock-on lagged effects stemming from tightening credit conditions facing businesses (especially SMEs) amid the euro-zone crisis, growing fiscal consolidation in EU markets, and renewed capital and currency market volatility in response to erratic fluctuations in global risk aversion.

Our regional data show that patterns of insolvencies in Q1 were mixed: business failures fell most sharply in advanced countries, notably in North America and the Nordics, which experienced y/y decreases of 17.5% and 6.2% respectively. The number of business failures rose sharply in emerging markets (exclud-ing China), particularly in Eastern Europe, which saw a 35.4% y/y rise in insolvency levels. Euroland saw some easing in the number of business failures, but this was largely due to improvements in the euro-zone's leading member, Germany. Conversely, firms in the euro-euro-zone's periphery continued to struggle, as shown by rising business closures, particularly in Portugal and Spain. Meanwhile, the UK saw a general fall in business failures, although the retail trade sub-sector continued to record high levels of insolvency.

Outlook: Insolvency Risk Will Remain Elevated in H2 2012

The global economic outlook remains fraught with problems; of particular note is the potential disorderly Greek exit from the monetary union and the subsequent re-emergence of systemic problems in Europe and emerging markets; in addition, the ongoing slowdown in China will increase short-term cyclical challenges in many of its import markets, leading to softer growth trends. Already, such concerns have led to tighter credit conditions and weaker business sentiment. While the US, and to a lesser extent Asia, will underpin global growth over the remainder of 2012, we believe that the net effect will be fragile global growth over H2 2012. Slower growth will likely inhibit the process of improvement in failures and bankruptcies and so further improvements in business failure readings are unlikely in the near term.

IMPACT: insolvency levels have dropped further year on year IMPACT: insolvencies are falling particularly sharply in North America IMPACT: the escalating euro-zone crisis leads to the re-emergence of systemic concerns

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This Insolvency Risk Outlook matrix shows the level of insolvency risk for the key countries covered in this report, categorised by D&B’s economic outlook for each country (horizontal axis) and the change in each country’s Insolvency Index(vertical axis).

A positive/negative economic forecast means that economic activity for that country for 2012-13 will grow/contract. A rising/falling Insolvency Indexrefers to the country’s latest insolvency level recorded in Q1 2012. For example, the ‘High Insolvency Risk’ category lists countries that combine still-high level of in-solvencies compared with the previous year (according to our latest data) with a weaker economic outlook (compared with historical standards).

Key Insight: Insolvency Risk Rises In Indebted Euro-zone Economies

and Elsewhere

The matrix shows that insolvency risk is rising particularly sharply in the countries that have been af-fected by the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis e.g. Italy, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands. Even countries that have low sovereign debt levels and which have recovered comparatively well (Australia, Switzerland) are seeing a marked increase in insolvency risk.

At the other end of the spectrum, ongoing recoveries in countries such as Germany and Norway continue to support decreases in insolvency risk, despite the global slowdown. That said, given the escalating prob-lems in the euro zone, we expect insolvency levels to accelerate (from relatively low levels) in many economies in the coming quarters.

Insolvency Risk Outlook

Economic Outlook (2012–13) Negative Positive In so lv en cy In d ex R is in g

High Insolvency Risk

Italy, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands

Recommendations

Monitor vigorously Increase prices to cover risk Reduce exposure to country

Medium-Low Insolvency Risk

Australia, Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, Taiwan, Serbia,

Czech Republic

Recommendations

Expect slight rise in payments risk Apply vigilance

Fa

lli

n

g

Medium-High Insolvency Risk

France, Japan, UK, Russian Federation

Recommendations

Expert rising payment risk Charge interest on late payments Offer discount for prompt payment

Low Insolvency Risk

Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, New Zealand, Singapore, US, Brazil, Germany,

Norway, Israel, Slovenia

Recommendations

Push for more sales in country Widen exposure to country Strengthen relationship with

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Sectoral Developments in Advanced Countries

Key Sector: Manufacturing

• business insolvencies in the key manufacturing sector dropped in Q1, although the outlook remains weak due to softer economic growth;

• among the advanced countries, the number of business failures in the manufacturing sector fell by 13.0% y/y in Q1 and by 12.3% over the past four quarters;

• this is significantly down on the peak seen in Q3 2009, when business failures rose by 167.7% y/y in the wake of the global recession.

Developments in Other Sectors

• particularly strong decreases were recorded in the construction, telecommunications & transportation, real estate and natural resources sectors;

• the remaining sectors also saw declines in insolvencies in Q1; • meanwhile, the net effect of the weak outlook for demand in Euroland and the mild recovery for demand in the US is likely to be an increase in insolvency risk in the services sector.

-40 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Business Failures in the Manufacturing Sector (y/y change, %)

Business Failures by Sector

Share

of Total Q1 12Y/Y Change (%)yr to Q1

Construction 20.2 -15.0 -10.0 Financial Services & Insurance 2.3 -8.3 -6.4 Manufacturing 10.6 -13.0 -12.3 Natural Resources 3.0 -17.8 -4.5 Real Estate 3.2 -14.1 -10.4

Retail 13.6 -4.6 -4.0

Other Services 36.0 -13.9 -5.1 Telecommunications & Transportation 5.6 -20.1 -15.4 Wholesale 5.5 -8.3 -7.7 Insolvency Index of Advanced Countries 100.0 -8.3 -4.8

United States

Latest Developments:

• the number of business failures fell for a sixth consecutive quarter in Q1, by 17.5% y/y, compared with a 14.9% y/y fall in Q4 2011; • the easing in business insolvency levels is due to the slowly

embedding economic recovery;

• all sectors recorded y/y improvement in Q1, led by natural resources and transportation, but with real estate improving less strongly.

• in the last four quarters combined, all sectors have shown an impressive improvement in the rate of business failures. Outlook:

• external factors could derail the recovery, which we expect to remain uneven across various states;

• as such, we advise caution when dealing with sectors with a high dependency on sales to Asia and Europe.

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Business Failures by Sector in Q1 2012

Share of Total Y/Y Change (%) Q1 12 yr to Q1 Business Services 25.9 -20.1 -13.5 Construction 13.7 -21.6 -18.3 Retail 11.2 -20.3 -17.4 Real Estate 4.6 -16.2 -25.2 Transportation 4.0 -25.3 -16.9 Natural Resources 3.6 -25.9 -24.5 Manufacturing 3.5 -17.6 -17.6 Others 33.7 -10.3 -6.8 Total 100.0 -17.5 -13.9

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United Kingdom

• the number of business failures declined by 17.5% y/y in Q1 2012, marking the first quarter of decrease in bankruptcies since Q2 2011;

• aggressive restructuring and productivity gains are offsetting the ongoing drag from sluggish recovery;

• the worst performing sector was retail trade;

• finance, insurance, real estate and personal services experienced the largest drop in business failures.

Outlook:

• despite the decline in business failures, we expect insolvency risk to remain high in the coming quarters, as downside risks linked to the euro zone have risen;

• UK exports and import substitution industries will feel the full impact of the euro-zone crisis in coming quarters.

-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Change in Business Failures (y/y, %)

Share of Total

Y/Y Change (%) Q1-12 yr to Q1

Business Services 21.6 -25.3 10.1 Finance, Insurance and Real Estate 3.9 -48.9 -7.7 Retail Trade 26.5 93.9 -14.1 Construction 14.4 -27.0 -0.5 Personal Services 7.0 -39.4 -20.5 Transport, Communic., Utilities 4.2 -30.2 -9.9 Food and Drink 6.7 -26.9 -1.2 Others 15.7 -36.1 -14.0

Total 100.0 -17.5 -5.0

Spain

• the number of business failures rose for the fifth consecutive quarter in Q1 2012, by 26.2% y/y;

• the high level of business failures reflect the severely recessionary macroeconomic environment;

• transport and storage, construction, and wholesale trade saw the largest increases in bankruptcies;

• by contrast, agriculture and fishing saw a decline in bankruptcies. Outlook:

• a further increase in the number of business failures is likely given depressed demand and ongoing fiscal consolidation;

• the outlook for almost all sectors looks weak.

-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Y/Y Change (%) Q1-12 yr to Q1

Construction 31.3 22.9 21.5 Industry and Energy 18.7 20.3 13.8 Wholesale Trade 15.4 33.0 28.1 Transport and Storage 5.4 56.7 13.2 Hotel and Catering 2.8 22.7 14.0 Finance, Insurance and Real Estate 2.4 11.9 13.1 Agriculture and Fishing 0.6 -25.0 20.0

Others 23.4 30.0 39.3

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France

• the trend in business failures reversed y/y in Q1 2012: there was a 0.3% y/y decrease in bankruptcies after a marginal increase of 0.4% y/y in the previous quarter;

• the worst performing industries in terms of an increasing number of bankruptcies were transport, logistics, information and

communications;

• the best performing industries with decreasing number of bankruptcies were construction, industry and personal services. Outlook:

• overall confidence is weak, signalling an increase in business failures in H2 2012;

• retailers/financial services will suffer weakness as consumers remain cautious amid credit tightening.

-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Share

of Total Q1-12Y/Y Change (%)yr to Q1

Construction 28.7 -2.5 -3.5

Trade 22.3 -0.3 2.3

Accommodations, restaurant and pubs 11.7 4.7 2.1 Business services 12.4 -0.7 -1.6

Industry 7.4 -2.0 -3.0

Transport, Logistics, information, Communic. 5.9 7.0 -1.8 Personal Services 4.2 -1.4 -2.4 Other 7.3 36.4 29.8 Total 100.0 -0.3 -0.4

Australia

• bankruptcy cases rose sharply y/y in Q1 2012, rising by 18.8%, after a 1.3% y/y rise in Q4 2011;

• the rise in insolvencies partly reflected the lagged effect of increases in interest rates in the post-credit crunch recovery period in 2010–11;

• negative consumer sentiment and the strong currency are also reducing profits outside the mining sector.

Outlook:

• with weakness in retail, financial services and construction, we expect new failures, due to recent high interest rates and falling bank credit;

• overall confidence is weak, signalling an increase in business failures going into H2 2012;

• there will also be new uncertainty for the mining sector as projects are delayed or downsized and as Chinese demand cools.

-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Y/Y Change (%) Q4-11 yr to Q4

Finance, Insurance and Real Estate 14.8 7.4 12.3 Services 16.9 50.2 31.4 Construction 11.0 79.3 43.7 Manufacturing 6.1 31.9 11.9 Retail Trade 8.2 69.5 58.9 Wholesale Trade 4.4 26.2 14.7 Transport, Communic., Utilities 2.5 27.6 34.3

Others 36.2 -5.1 -5.4

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Japan

Latest Developments

• the number of business failures dropped by 0.8% y/y in Q1, after declining 5.9% y/y in Q4, despite the economic shock of the Great East Japan Earthquake;

• the continued decline in bankruptcy cases reflected recovery from the lagged recovery after the shock of 2009, and the fact that credit conditions improved and government support to SMEs continued; • the manufacturing sector saw the largest y/y drop in Q1, followed

by the retail sector, even as services failures rose 11.9%. Outlook:

• government support and guarantees shielded firms from the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 and the economy is on a post-quake expansion path;

• having survived natural disasters in Japan and Thailand and a strong yen in 2011, 2012 could prove difficult for exporters as global demand stagnates;

• grace periods for debtors in stricken areas will expire and raise business failures in 2012. -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Share of Total Y/Y Change (%) Q1-12 yr to Q1 Construction 24.5 -1.9 -1.8 Services 23.9 11.9 7.3 Manufacturing 13.6 -11.6 -9.8 Wholesale Trade 14.5 4.5 -4.9 Retail Trade 11.5 -11.4 -6.5 Information and Communication 4.3 9.5 -0.2 Transportation 3.5 2.8 -10.9

Others 4.1 -15.6 -9.0

Total 100.0 -0.8 -2.7

South Africa

• the number of business failures fell by 10.0% y/y in Q1 2012, after a 31.6% y/y increase in the previous quarter;

• despite this, the business climate continues to suffer from tight lending conditions, rising input costs and weaker exports;

• wholesale trade was the best-performing sector, both in y/y terms and in the 12 months to Q1;

• the agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining and services sectors showed sharp increases in insolvency risk.

Outlook:

• we expect business insolvency risk to remain elevated amid subdued domestic activity and a downturn in the key trade partner, the EU;

• however, gold mining will benefit from strong external demand due to ongoing global uncertainty.

-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Share

of Total Q1-12Y/Y Change (%)yr to Q1

Services 28.3 -11.3 -6.3 Retail Trade 28.0 -21.2 9.5 Finance, Insurance and Real Estate 17.3 9.8 21.4 Manufacturing 11.5 8.4 8.9 Construction 6.8 6.8 22.5 Wholesale Trade 2.7 -45.2 -3.7 Transport, Communic., Utilities 3.5 -22.0 2.6 Agric., Forestry, Fishing, Mining 1.8 25.7 1.1

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Russian Federation

Latest Developments

• the number of business failures declined for the seventh consecutive quarter in Q1 2012, by 2.5% y/y;

• decreasing business failures reflect an improved economic environment (especially buoyant private and government demand) and improved credit conditions;

• finance, insurance and real estate saw the largest y/y increase in bankruptcies in Q1;

• agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining and manufacturing showed sharp drops in insolvency risk.

Outlook:

• business insolvency risk is likely to rise in the coming quarters amid rising inflation and a downturn in the key trade partner, the EU;

• however, the oil industry will benefit from high oil prices.

-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10

Y/Y Change (%) Q1-12 yr to Q1

Wholesale and retail trade 26.2 -4.9 -14.6 Construction 19.6 -0.2 -5.7 Manufacturing 15.2 -9.7 -9.9 Finance, insurance, real estate 13.0 12.0 10.4 Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining 12.9 -5.7 -9.4 Transport and Telecommunications 5.1 2.5 -8.6 Hotel and restaurants 1.0 0.0 -4.9

Other 7.1 -3.1 -4.9

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China

• business failures rose 15.2% y/y in Q1, reflecting higher credit risk among firms affected by a tightening of credit conditions in 2011; • by Q4, real estate and the export sector were already noticeably

affected, and the outlook for credit quality in 2012 is negative in several sectors;

• the incomplete development of the bankruptcy framework means that business failures data tend not to capture all involuntary business cessations. -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10

Singapore

• the number of business failures fell 16.7% y/y in Q1, compared to a 10.8% y/y rise in Q4;

• Singapore's economic growth has slowed down appreciably from 2010-11, but this has not yet translated into sharply higher credit risks;

• weaker demand prospects in 2012 in trade partners such as the EU and China will lower profits in cyclically exposed sectors.

-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Taiwan

• the number of business failures rose for the second consecutive quarter in Q1 2012, by 13.4% y/y;

• the continued increase reflects renewed difficulties in the business climate, especially weakening export orders, falling manufacturing output (mainly in high-tech industry) and subdued consumer spending;

• given these factors, we expect a further deterioration in business insolvency risk, and advise caution when dealing with

manufacturing firms in particular.

-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Brazil

• the number of business failures fell by 5.6% y/y in Q1 2012, after a 7.3% y/y rise in Q4 2011;

• the amelioration reflects positive economic performance, although the majority of important sectors in the economy remain weak; • a reversal in trend in the number of business failures is likely over

2012 as economic momentum slows.

-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

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Netherlands

• the number of business failures increased by 24.1% y/y in Q1 2012, up from an increase of 10.9% in Q4 2011;

• the increase in business failures reflects tougher lending terms and a deteriorating economic climate amid low domestic demand and sluggish export performance;

• the weakening economic outlook is likely to see a further rise in insolvencies in H2 2012. -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Germany

• the number of business failures fell by 31.4% y/y in Q1 2012, compared with a 5.7% y/y drop in Q4 2011;

• the decline reflects the economic recovery, with credit conditions and companies’ payments performance improving notably; • however, the escalating euro-zone crisis is a threat to further

improvements, and we expect an increase in insolvency rates from late 2012 onwards.

-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Portugal

• the number of business failures increased by 46.5% y/y in Q1 2012, up from 23.9% y/y in Q4;

• the deterioration reflects the ongoing economic downturn amid companies' weak performance and the government's sharp budget cuts;

• a further increase in the number of business failures is likely given the fragile economic outlook and the ongoing need for fiscal consolidation. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 -08

Switzerland

• the number of business failures rose by 6.5% y/y in Q1 2012, after an expansion by 3.4% y/y in Q4 2011;

• the increase since Q3 2011 reflects the franc's sharp appreciation and the aggravation of the euro-zone crisis;

• although the franc's upward trend has been curbed by the intervention of the Swiss central bank, price competitiveness problems for export-orientated businesses remain.

-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

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Poland

• the number of business failures rose by 35.8% y/y in Q1 2012, after a 15.4% y/y increase in Q4 2011;

• the continued decline reflects Poland’s economic slowdown, stemming from reduced trade with the euro-zone countries, as well as weaker household consumption and private investment constrained by credit tightening;

• a further increase in business failures is likely to occur in the near term. -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

Hungary

• the number of business failures rose by 34.1% y/y in Q1 2012, compared with 30.0% y/y in Q4 2011;

• worryingly, the weakness of the forint increases repayment obligations for companies (which are very often indebted in Swiss francs);

• it is likely that the number of business failures will keep rising over the next quarters, as the domestic banking sector is exposed to the euro-zone crisis and tightens access to credit.

-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Q1 12 Q3 Q1 11 Q3 Q1 10 Q3 Q1 09 Q3 Q1 08

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Macroeconomic Context

The table below summarises the D&B Insolvency Index(Q2 2010 = 100), the year-on-year change in the number of business failures, and the real GDP growth forecast (2012–16 average) for a selected list of countries; it also indicates the trend for each country’s risk rating (▲= ‘improving’, n= ‘stable’, and

▼= ‘deteriorating’). The countries shaded in grey are covered in more detail in the preceding pages. Country D&B Insolvency Index

Q2 2010

year-on-year change in Q1 2012

Real GDP Growth

Average 2012–16 Risk Rating Trend

Australia 104.2 18.8 1.9 ▼ Belgium 133.3 0.9 1.5 ▼ Brazil 87.8 -5.6 5.0 n China 59.9 15.2 7.4 ▼ Czech Republic 107.5 9.04 1.4 ▼ Denmark 82.6 -1.4 1.6 n Finland 119.1 -5.6 2.2 ▼ France 112.3 -0.3 1.4 ▼ Germany 63.0 -31.4 1.6 ▼ Hong Kong 85.3 0.6 3.9 ▼ Hungary 127.7 34.1 1.7 ▼ Iceland 133.3 -20.9 2.4 n Ireland 85.5 -14.8 2.4 ▼ Israel 181.6 -11.0 3.6 n Italy 100.4 0.8 0.5 ▼ Japan 95.8 -0.8 1.1 n Latvia 33.0 -20.1 3.7 n Lithuania 67.1 -18.5 3.3 ▼ Netherlands 122.3 24.1 0.7 ▼ New Zealand 75.1 -4.4 3.0 n Norway 86.7 -8.7 2.0 ▼ Russian Federation 74.9 -2.5 3.4 n Serbia 134.5 70.1 2.4 n Poland 116.2 35.8 4.5 n Portugal 160.2 46.5 -0.3 ▼ Singapore 100.0 -16.7 4.1 ▼ Slovenia 162.5 -4.5 1.6 ▼ South Africa 95.4 -10.0 3.1 ▼ Spain 157.5 26.2 0.4 ▼ Switzerland 104.7 6.5 1.7 ▼ Taiwan 104.6 13.4 4.3 ▼ United Kingdom 69.1 -17.5 1.2 ▼

United States of America 75.0 -17.5 2.1 n

Glossary of Terms

D&B Global Insolvency Index: A proprietary D&B Country Risk Services index that assesses the performance of business failures globally (more details available below). The terms ‘bankruptcy’, ‘business failure’ and ‘insolvency’ are used interchangeably in this report.

Eastern Europe:Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Serbia. Emerging Asia (excl. China):Taiwan and Singapore

Nordic Region:Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway North America:United States of America

Methodology

The D&B Global Insolvency Indexis a D&B Country Risk Services product calculated as the weighted

average of the insolvency index for each country based on the information available. The D&B Global Insolvency Indexaggregates the indices for 33 countries organised in seven regions covering more than 70% of global GDP. The country’s GDP (nominal terms) in US dollars provides the weighting for each national insolvency index. The D&B Global Insolvency Indexbenchmark value is 100 for Q2 2010. An increase in the index implies more negative events concerning insolvencies, while a decrease represents a positive development. More information is available upon request.

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Sources

This report has been compiled with the kind support of the following D&B offices and partners:

Australia

Dun & Bradstreet (Australia) Pty Ltd Tel: +61 3 9828 3333

Email: [email protected]

Belgium

Dun & Bradstreet Belgium NV/SA Tel: +32 2 481 83 00

Email: [email protected]

China

Huaxia D&B China Tel: +86 (0) 21 2321 3636 Email: [email protected]

Czech Republic

D&B Czech Republic Tel: +420 274 000 600 Email: [email protected] D&B EMC Tel: +44 1628 492430 Email: [email protected] Denmark D&B Denmark Tel: +45 36 73 80 60 Email: [email protected] France Altares-D&B Tel: +33 1 41 37 50 00 Email: [email protected] Germany D&B Deutschland GmbH Tel: +49 (0) 6151.1375.777 Email: [email protected] Hungary

Dun & Bradstreet Hungary Ltd. Tel: +36 1 347 6700 Email: [email protected] Ireland D&B Tel: +44 (0)1628 492000 Email: [email protected] Israel D&B Israel Tel: 03-7330333 Email: [email protected] Italy CRIBIS D&B Tel: 800-82 10 58 Email: [email protected] Japan

Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. Tel: +81-3-6910-3140 Email: [email protected] Netherlands D&B Nederland Tel: +3110 710 9560 Email: [email protected] Poland

Dun and Bradstreet Poland Sp. z o.o. Tel: +48 22 533 24 00 Email: [email protected] Portugal Informa D&B Tel: +351 213 500 300 Email: [email protected] Russian Federation D&B Interfax Tel: +7-495-646 2114 Email: [email protected] Slovenia

Bonitetna hiša i, d.o.o., Tel: +386 1 234 29 40 Email: [email protected]

South Africa

TransUnion Credit Bureau (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 11 214 6000 Switzerland D&B Schweiz AG Tel: +41 (0)44 735 61 11 Email: [email protected] UK D&B UK Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1628 492000 Email: [email protected] U.S. D&B Tel: 1-800-234-3867 Email: [email protected]

D&B Country Risk Services

At D&B Country Risk Services we have a team of economists dedicated to analysing the risks of doing business across the world (we currently cover 132 countries). We monitor each of these countries on a daily basis and produce both shorter analytical pieces (Country RiskLine Reports; at least one per country per month for most countries), as well as more detailed 50-page Country Reports. For further details please contact Country Risk Services on +44 (0)1628 492595or email [email protected]. Additional Resources

The information contained in this publication was correct at the time of going to press. For the most up-to-date information on any country covered here, refer to D&B’s monthly International Risk & Payment Review. For comprehensive, in-depth coverage, refer to the relevant country’s Full Country Report.

Credits: This paper was produced by D&B Country Risk Services, and contains contributions by Dr. Ilona Dmitrieva, Daniele Fraietta, Dr. Warwick Knowles, Markus Kuger, Isaac Leung, Gaimin Nonyane and Andres Tacsir.

While the editors endeavour to ensure the accuracy of all information and data contained in this D&B report, neither they nor Dun & Bradstreet Limited accept responsibility for any loss or damage (whether direct or indirect) whatsoever to the customer or any third party resulting or arising therefrom.

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