UniCredit Bank AG
UniCredit Bank AG
UniCredit Bank AG
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Outlook and events since 31 December 2009<br />
Management's Discussion and Analysis and the rest of the Annual Report 2009 include statements, expectations<br />
and forecasts concerning the future. These forward-looking statements are based on plans and estimates that are<br />
supported by the information that is available to HVB at the present time. Unless required by law, HVB assumes<br />
no obligation to update these statements in the light of new information or future events. Known or unknown<br />
risks and uncertainties may be entailed in forward-looking statements and the actual results and developments<br />
may thus differ significantly from those expected at present. Such discrepancies may result particularly from<br />
changes to the general economic climate and the competitive situation, developments on international capital<br />
markets, the possible default of borrowers or contracting parties in commercial transactions, the implementation<br />
of restructuring measures, amendments to national and international laws, notably to tax regulations, the<br />
reliability of HVB's risk management procedures and methods as well as other risks, some of which are<br />
described in detail in the Risk Report.<br />
The following comments on the outlook are to be viewed in connection with the comments on the outlook in the<br />
Financial Review and the Risk Report in the consolidated financial statements for the 2009 financial year.<br />
General economic outlook for 2010<br />
HVB expects the global economy to expand by 3.5% in 2010, with the United States growing by 2.5% and the<br />
Euro zone by just 0.9%. Inflation rose again across the globe at the turn of the year. This resulted from a rebound<br />
in oil prices to over USD 70 per barrel (forecast for year-end 2010: USD 90 per barrel). In general, though, price<br />
rises remain very subdued.<br />
Nonetheless, the exporting industry in the Euro zone could benefit from a weaker exchange rate this year. After<br />
the Euro had appreciated hugely against the US Dollar in 2009, the weak growth outlook for peripheral countries<br />
in the Euro zone in particular served to depress the exchange rate from over USD 1.50 to about USD 1.35. HVB<br />
expects the Euro to strengthen slightly, to USD 1.38, through to the end of 2010. Separately from this, the very<br />
high levels of both private and public debt, and the associated major need for consolidation, are likely to slow<br />
economic expansion over the coming years.<br />
The corporate mood in Germany has lightened again at the start of 2010. The Ifo Business Climate Index rose<br />
sharply to 95.8 points at the beginning of the year 2010, after falling to as low as 82.2 points in the wake of the<br />
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