Business Trends Survey results for companies in the West
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 West comprises the ECA regions of West, South West and South Wales.
- In the West there has been only modest optimism, concerning turnover, in the last four surveys. In the present survey more companies report a decrease than an increase in turnover with a balance of ‑10%.
- Expectations for turnover in the subsequent quarter have been somewhat erratic. In the latest survey expectations for the next quarter are slightly up but still with a balance only just above zero.
- The level of enquiries reported and expectations for the next quarter, have varied widely. The balance of those reporting or expecting an increase in enquiries has dropped dramatically in this survey.
- There is little optimism for the next 12 months with the balance expecting an increase rather than a decrease in turnover dropping from 22% in Q3 2007 to -16% in the current survey.
Companies in the West: 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 West 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.