Overview
- An Ifo survey released Monday found 8.1% of companies fear they may not survive, and the institute warned insolvency counts are likely to stay high in the coming months.
- Retail posted a record 17.4% share of firms at existential risk, with hospitality near 20%, reflecting weak consumer spending and tougher competition from online and low‑cost foreign sellers.
- IWH reported 1,776 corporate insolvencies in April, the most since 2005 and about 82% above a typical April in 2016–2019.
- Companies most often cite missing orders and higher energy and operating costs, and many report cash squeezes that spread through supply chains when customers cancel work or go bust.
- Recent moves by Wacker, Festo, TE Connectivity and Porsche to cut jobs or shut units show how demand and cost pressures are hitting workers and local economies.