Business Trends Survey results for large 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.
Large companies are classified as those with an annual turnover between £1 and 5m.
- The balance of these large companies reporting a rise in turnover rather than a decrease, quarter by quarter, had been steady or slightly rising over the last two years at around 20%. This quarter shows a substantial drop to just below zero.
- The balance in the level of enquiries expected for the next quarter had been at around 20% in the previous four quarters. It has now dropped to only 3%.
- There is a small balance of companies expecting a rise in turnover in the next quarter. However, the outlook for the next year has fallen from dramatically over the last year and the balance in now -10%.
- Comments from these companies reflect the general perception that there is less work about and there is some concern that margins are being eroded.
Large companies: actual turnover change in last quarter and actual and expected turnover change – balance.
If you would like to view the graph charting expectations in turnover change for large 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.