Despite order books currently looking healthy, the railway sector is looking a lot more cautiously to the future

In line with economic expectations, the business climate of the railway sector will weaken considerably in the 4th quarter of 2011, but will remain at a high level. However, talk of a negative trend would be premature as the fall in the SCI/Railindex would be the first following two successful quarters – but the change of mood is significant. It is mainly business expectations that are worsening. Only 15% of the companies surveyed expect favourable business development over the next six months; more than 40% of the companies were optimistic in the previous quarter. 71% of the companies expect constant development at a high level. In the view of 14% of the companies surveyed, development is becoming worse. The sector currently still has a high-level, mostly longer-term solid order backlog. In view of current levels of international disorder and change, the railway sector is doing well but the companies surveyed are expecting more pressure on prices.

Global Rail Index IV / 2011 (PDF-File, 400 KB)