The WIFO Business Cycle Survey serves as an important early-indication tool for the economic situation in Austria. Using a Markov regime-switching model, it is possible to determine at an early point in time whether the business cycle is in its upward or downward mode. Regime probabilities are...

WIFO has been conducting its Business Cycle Survey since 1954. Today, some 1,600 businesses, with altogether more than 200,000 employees, are participating in the survey. The findings of the survey are analysed to obtain leading indicators of the state of the Austrian economy. The analysis shows...

In 2013, the cash-flow-to-sales ratio of the Austrian manufacturing sector reached an estimated 9.0 percent, a value significantly below the long-run average of 9.6 percent. The persistently muted performance of the manufacturing sector has affected the cash-flow-to-sales ratio, which declined...

The Austrian manufacturing industry as well as construction, electricity, gas, water and public transport plan to invest € 10.6 billion at current prices in 2004. Total investment is expected to increase slightly by 5.8 percent compared to 2003, after a two-year decrease. In the autumn survey...

According to the results of the spring 2004 investment survey, investment in manufacturing expressed in current prices was set to grow by 6.6 percent in 2004. In the autumn 2003 investment survey, enterprises had expected their investments in 2004 to stay at the same level as in 2003. Seen...

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the EU Commission have submitted – widely harmonised – proposals for reforming the capital requirements for banks and investment firms (Basel II). The object of the reform is to strengthen the stability of the financial market by aligning the...

Following the upward trend registered by the construction industry in Europe in the late 1990s (+3.5 percent in 1999, +2.5 percent in 2000), growth came to an abrupt stop in 2001, against the background of an overall economic downturn. Building production stagnated and is expected to grow at a...

According to the investment survey conducted in October-December 2002, fixed capital investment in manufacturing decreased by 9.6 percent in 2002 over the previous year and is expected to grow by 5.7 percent in 2003 (both in current prices). Expressed in constant prices the expected increase in...

As of 1997, private adjustable-rate loan contracts must be provided with a clause governing interest rate changes which meets the requirements of the Consumer Protection Act. This legal stipulation is of particular importance for private loans granted by banks and for loans to individuals. More...

For 2003, the Austrian manufacturing industry as well as the electricity, gas, water and public transport sectors plan to invest € 6.8 billion at current prices. The plans indicate a minor increase in investment spending, up 1.8 percent compared to 2002, but slower than foreseen in...