Manufacturing Industries Expect Zero Investment Growth in 2009 – Slump in Construction. Results of the WIFO Autumn 2008 Investment Survey

According to the results of WIFO's Autumn 2008 Investment Survey, investment in manufacturing declined by 4.8 percent in 2008 (at current prices) and is expected to fall by 0.6 percent in 2009. The greatest shrinkage is expected for automotive and consumer goods. In contrast, there will be increases in investment goods and intermediate goods. The manufacturing firms plan to push up their investment in hardware and software by 23 and 18 percent, respectively. Construction companies plan to cut their investments by 7.2 percent.