Business Trends Survey results for small companies
The ECA Business Trends Survey is undertaken quarterly with ECA members. It tracks business performance in the latest quarter, as well as expectations for both the next quarter and the next 12 months, and looks at turnover and orders received/expected.
Small companies are classified as those with an annual turnover under £200k.
- Slightly more companies expect a drop in turnover in the current quarter rather than an increase but almost 60% expect no change .
- The balance reporting an increase in turnover, rather than a decrease, has varied between ‑3% and 15% over the last two years, quarter by quarter. The value reported for the last quarter is at its lowest level since the beginning of 2006.
- There is a small balance expecting a drop in turnover in the next quarter.
- Expectations for the next twelve months are usually more optimistic than for the next quarter, sometimes by a large margin. However, a balance of 15% of companies is now expecting a drop in turnover over the next 12 months.
- Comments from Small companies indicate expectations of a substantial down turn in the level of business in the immediate future though one or two companies are more optimistic.
Small companies: actual turnover change in last quarter and actual and expected turnover change – balance*.
*Balance: for each question on the survey, respondents were asked whether values would be more, less or the same as in previous periods. The difference between more or less is referred to as the balance.
If you would like to view the graph charting expectations in turnover change for small companies for the next 12 months, or would like any further information on the topic, please contact Steve Newbold, ECA Head of Marketing, at steve.newbold@eca.co.uk.