The average number of companies now in bankruptcy proceedings hit 489 out of every 10,000 in the first quarter of 2012, according to Dun & Bradstreet statistics. That’s the highest result since the second quarter of 2009, which was the peak of the global crisis. Transport, construction, manufacturing industry, administration and hospitality are the most severely affected sectors. Education, healthcare, cultural and leisure activities, services and utilities are performing better. The reasons for the high levels of bankruptcy in transport, construction and manufacturing are the need for long-term financing, strong competition and economic uncertainty, says the D&B director Alena Seoud.
