Step 1: Start with the broad introduction. Sentence \(E\) lists the {factors influencing forecasts}, providing the natural opening to the topic.
Step 2: Add a general property of these factors. Sentence \(A\) says some are tangible and some are not—still at a high, overall level, smoothly following \(E\).
Step 3: Introduce a method to classify them. Sentence \(C\) proposes distinguishing factors into {macro} and {micro}, creating a need to define each class next.
Step 4: Define each class in order. Sentence \(D\) explains {macro} factors (policies, economy, demographics), and sentence \(B\) explains {micro} factors (brand building, product development, competition, pricing, internal decision making).
Step 5: Thus, the coherent sequence is \(E \rightarrow A \rightarrow C \rightarrow D \rightarrow B\), i.e., option (A).