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Due to its high export ratio the industry is highly susceptible to rising geopolitical risks, exchange rate volatility, and rising protectionism.

Business performance and profit margins of machinery traders could be negatively affected by the ongoing trade dispute between China and the United States.

Due to its high export ratio the industry is highly susceptible to external risks like a deterioration in the Eurozone and rising protectionism.

Some caution is still advised on businesses dependent on the oil/gas and the mining industry, due to potential impacts of energy price volatility.

The bright outlook presented in May has proven true but clouds are quickly gathering on the horizon. In an increasingly uncertain environment, there is no room for policy mistakes.

The election of Brazil's new president ends a long period of political uncertainty, but the window for much-needed reform is very narrow.

After a minor increase from 2016 to 2017, the proportion of past due B2B receivables in Western Europe increased again this year and stands at 41.8%.

All survey respondents in Austria (100%) reported domestic payment delays. This is the highest percentage in the region, significantly higher than in 2017.

The average proportion of overdue B2B invoices reported by respondents in Belgium increased for the third consecutive year in a row and stands at 45.6%.

The survey’s biggest negative change in the proportion of uncollectable receivables was recorded in Denmark; up from 1.3% in 2017 to 1.8% in 2018.

After an increase from 43.5% in 2017 to 47.5% this year, France has the second highest percentage of overdue B2B invoices in the Western European region.

Of the Western European countries surveyed, Germany had the second highest percentage of respondents (24.7%) who reported revenue loss due to overdues.

At 48.7%, Great Britain had the highest proportion of past due B2B invoices in Western Europe, significantly higher than the regional average of 41.8%.

Despite already posting the highest proportion of uncollectable receivables in the region, Greece’s average rose to 2.8% in 2018 from 2.5% in 2017.

For 56.3% of Irish respondents reported negative consequences of overdues over the past 12 months. For 15.1% of suppliers these led to revenue loss.

Despite a significant decrease in 2018, at 74 days, the average DSO reported by survey respondents in Italy remains the highest in Western Europe.

Most respondents in Spain have felt the impact of overdue invoices; 22.4% had to postpone payments to their own suppliers and 20.3% reported revenue loss.

The proportion of past due B2B invoices in Sweden has sharply increased from 26.7% in 2017 to 34.0%. Foreign B2B customers had a much higher default rate.

92.5% of Swiss respondents said that they experienced late payment in 2018. This is one of the highest percentages next to that of Austria and Belgium.

In 2018, the average DSO recorded in the Netherlands is 46 days, an increase of five days compared to 2017. This is the biggest increase in Western Europe.