Supply Chain Research

European businesses have seen a collapse in export sentiment. The IFO survey of German managers dropped to a net 1.2% of managers expecting an expansion in export orders, the lowest since Oct. 2012. Meanwhile French managers’ sentiment has fallen to its lowest since Jun. 2015. That’s not a surprise given the uncertainty still surrounding Brexit as well as the forthcoming U.S. section 232 automotive tariffs. In Germany’s case there’s a degree of capitulation given exports fell for three straight months through Jan. 31 including a 4.1% year over year drop in January. Similar declines have ...