Integer has revised down forecasts for Q1 2012 marginally from November 2011, for a number of countries. Although on the surface the situation in the US and Germany appears to be more promising than expected last quarter, several leading economies such as Italy, and more worryingly France, saw their growth forecast for 2012 dented by the current macroeconomic problems.
At the same time however, the US cable sector, which was a concern in Q3 2011, has been showing some very strong numbers, based on order levels towards the end of the year.
Even in Europe, some specific cable sectors saw signs of improvement at the end of 2011 and at the start of Q1 2012. For instance, demand for HV/EHV power cable has increased, boosted by investments in renewable energy.
Surprisingly, rosier prospects also seem to await the European automotive cable industry, which was one of the hardest-hit by the turmoil since 2008. There has been a recovery in the sector, but also a shift eastwards. We have also seen a shift of some investments that would have gone to North Africa, now going into Ukraine and Moldova.
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