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FY-2019 results: Record net income up 20% at €146.7m and proposed dividend per share of €1.0

We have completed our Fit to Win plan with record results, despite a riskier economic environment. Our net income is up by 20%, to €147m. The tangible return on equity comes in at 9.1%, excluding non-recurring items. Record retention and a pick-up in new business boosted growth to 5.9%. Finally, in terms of capital, the French regulator authorised our usage of our internal model to calculate the solvency requirement. Our solvency ratio stands at 190%, up 21 points, which allows us to propose a payment of a dividend of €1.0 per share to the Shareholders Annual General Assembly.

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Turkey Payment Survey 2019: better picture in payment term but companies remain cautions regarding economic prospects

Right after the recession that the economy went into during the second half of 2018 the private sector remains mixed in terms of the economic outlook.

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The global automotive industry and enhanced regulations: a very steep path ahead

Hit by increasingly stringent regulations, particularly for environmental purposes, the global automotive industry is facing a downturn and is being forced to reinvent itself.

In a gloomy global economic context, the automotive sector faces several very specific challenges, including stronger and stricter environmental regulations. As a result, car sales are experiencing negative growth not seen since the Great Recession of 2008 and there is an uncertainty prevailing in the sector.

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Business failures in France are less frequent, but of a larger size

While the number of companies facing corporate insolvency has decreased since the beginning of the year, their cost has increased, both financially and in terms of the number of jobs affected. After a difficult first quarter, marked by the repercussions of the “yellow vests” movement, the number of corporate insolvencies since the beginning of the year in France is set to decline for the fourth consecutive year. However, Coface expects a slight rebound in insolvencies in 2020 (+0.9%), mainly due to the expected slowdown in the construction sector, which was largely driven by public works in 2019 in the run-up to the municipal elections.

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Broker Portal, Coface’s new digital interface for its brokers

Coface launches its new portal for brokers, offering a new experience to its partners in the development of their business around the world.

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Country and Sector risks Barometer - October 2019: general slowdown in the global economy despite central banks’ actions

With business morale being affected by a summer marked by a multiplication of areas of political uncertainty around the world, it seems likely that 2020 will be a year of economic decline.

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Coface delivers record first semester in riskier economy

Net income up 25% at €78.5m, RoATE at 9.6% and Partial Internal Model submitted

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Asia Corporate Payment Survey 2019: Deteriorating payment trends amid trade war woes

Coface’s 2019 Asia Corporate Payment Survey covered over 3,000 companies in nine economies (Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan). 63% of companies surveyed stated that they experienced payment delays in 2018. The length of payment delays increased to 88 days on average in 2018, compared to 84 days in 2017. The length of payment delays was highest in China, Malaysia and Singapore; as well as the energy, construction and ICT sectors.

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Country and Sector risks Barometer - July 2019: Trade tensions return to the forefront of the global economy

US/China trade war, struggling automotive sector, slower growth in emerging economies... the second quarter of 2019 highlights a global economic slowdown

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Coface's political risks overview: the temperature is rising on the African continent

With numerous bouts of conflicts, terrorism, and social and political tensions, which show no signs of stopping in the near future, Africa will continue to experience fragility and destabilisation.

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Natural gas: an oscillation between boom and gloom

The natural gas market is booming and will increase in the medium term, but many factors point to a less promising future.

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Morocco: payment delays are improving but remain too long

Coface's fourth survey on payment terms in Morocco shows a situation that remains worrying despite a slight improvement.

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COFACE SA enters into the SBF120 index

The SBF 120 is one of the leading Paris stock market indices. It tracks the top 120 companies, in terms of market capitalization and liquidity.

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From copycat to early bird: Taking stock of China’s 5G ambitions

China coordinated its approach to 5G and some successes are already visible. However, China still relies on imports, especially for high-end products, leaving the sector exposed to protectionist threats. Moreover, the deployment of 5G networks by Chinese companies is perceived as a cybersecurity risk by many recipient countries. The US is banning Huawei equipment and pressing its allies to do the same, which could limit the growth of Chinese 5G in the future (...)

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In a global economic slowdown, luxury continues to outperform but faces new challenges

Counterfeiting, e-commerce, Chinese consumers importance, even if it is generally relatively spared by recessions, the luxury market must adapt to a profoundly changing economy if it does not want to lose its exceptional status.

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Report on the financial situation 2018, Coface Switzerland

«Public disclosure»

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Coface delivers a strong first quarter 2019

Net income at €36.4m and RoATE at 9.0%, supported by full impact of Fit to Win plan, portfolio growth and sound underwriting management

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Central Asia, China, and Russia: a three-way partnership of reason

Located on two branches of the New Silk Road (Belt and Road or B&R), Central Asia is both a trading partner and gateway for China and Europe; Russia’s long-standing influence in the region through expatriate transfers, its military bases, and culture is also of note. For the moment, China and Russia find reasons for rapprochement in their opposition to Western ideas and their fight against the spread of radical Islam. However, the balance of power could soon change as China is the largest provider of funding for corridor development in the region.

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The turnaround in the industrial cycle hits companies in the chemicals sector in Europe and North America

Signs of a slowing global economy continue to accumulate - 2019: the number of insolvencies will increase in two-thirds of countries (+3% in Western Europe) - The chemical industry in Europe and North America is suffering from fewer opportunities in the automotive sector - Improvements in assessments are concentrated in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia's upgrade (B)

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Despite five years of Modinomics, India continues to be constrained by economic fragilities

When Narendra Modi ran for Prime Minister in 2014, he pledged to boost the competitiveness of India’s industrial sector to promote growth. Modi will be running for president again in India’s general elections between 11 April and 19 May. The economy is in a better position than it was in 2014, but many of the structural fragilities that Modi inherited continue to afflict India today and a mixed track record in terms of economic reforms has dampened enthusiasm for Modi.

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