Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on June 25, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleEuropean corporate distress hits a nine-month high due to economic and geopolitical risks, with Germany being the most affected market.
By Lucy Raitano
LONDON (Reuters) -Corporate distress levels in Europe rose to a nine-month high in the three months to the end of May, an index compiled by law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges shows, driven by an uncertain economic outlook hampered by U.S. trade and geopolitical risks.
The Weil European Distress Index (WEDI) uses data from more than 3,750 listed European companies to monitor 16 indicators reflecting symptoms of corporate distress while considering metrics such as liquidity, profitability, risk and valuation.
The index rose to 4.1 from 3.8 at the end of the previous three-month period, suggesting increased probability of higher default rates on corporate debt.
Distress among retail and consumer goods businesses climbed to its highest since September 2009, the WEDI quarterly report showed. The sectoral downturn has been driven by factors such as tight credit conditions and weakening consumer demand, the report said.
Germany remained the most distressed market in Europe with levels rising to their highest since May 2020, when the global economy was ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Europe's biggest economy has contracted for two straight years, though massive fiscal stimulus has boosted confidence in its growth outlook.
Weil also flagged downgrades to Europe's growth outlook as well as elevated geopolitical uncertainty as factors contributing to rising corporate distress.
(Reporting by Lucy RaitanoEditing by Dhara Ranasinghe and David Goodman)
The Weil European Distress Index (WEDI) monitors 16 indicators reflecting symptoms of corporate distress across more than 3,750 listed European companies.
The index rose to 4.1 from 3.8, indicating an increased probability of higher default rates on corporate debt.
Distress among retail and consumer goods businesses climbed to its highest since September 2009, driven by factors such as tight credit.
Germany remains the most distressed market in Europe, with distress levels rising to their highest since May 2020.
Factors include downgrades to Europe's growth outlook and elevated geopolitical uncertainty, as flagged by Weil.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
