Business Trends Survey results for medium-sized 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.
Medium-sized companies are classified as those with an annual turnover between £200k and £1m.
- Slightly more companies reported an increase in business rather than a decrease in the last quarter but optimism is down from the previous survey.
- Expected turnover for the next quarter has varied little recently with the balance remaining close to zero for the last year.
- In recent surveys there has been a small balance of companies reporting a rise in enquires. However, in the current quarter this balance has dropped to ‑10%.
- Expectations for the next 12 months were stable for the first four quarters shown in the chart but showed something of a drop in the next three quarters. In the latest survey this fall has continued and the balance is now down to -6%.
- A number of these Medium sized companies commented on the general fall in the level of business and increased competitiveness.
Medium-sized 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 medium 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.