Business Trends Survey results for companies in the North
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.
The North comprises the ECA regions of North East, North West and Ireland.
- Over the last year there has been a small increase in the balance reporting an increase in turnover for the last quarter. In the latest survey the balance has fallen slightly but it is still positive.
- Turnover for the current quarter is expected to remain much the same as in the previous quarter.
- The level of enquiries reported had remained steady until Q3 2007. Since then it has fallen substantially and is now slightly negative.
- The level of enquiries reported has remained fairly steady over the whole period until this quarter when the balance between those reporting an increase and those reporting a decrease has fallen to -1% as had been expected in the last survey. The balance for increase and decrease in the level of enquiries expected is about 10% in the next quarter.
- Expectations for the next 12 months have remained fairly constant over the whole period up to Q4 2007 with a balance of between 15% and 20% expecting an increase in turnover. In the latest survey this figure has fallen dramatically and is now at ‑10%. Note that this still means there are 20% of companies expecting an increase in turnover in the next 12 months.
Companies in the North: 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 companies in the North 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.