Business Trends Survey results for companies in the Midlands and East
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 Midlands and East comprises the ECA regions of East, East Midlands and West Midlands.
- In the Midlands there had been a quiet optimism up to Q3 2007. Since then the balance reporting an increase in turnover has fallen from 20% and it is now down to about zero.
- This drop in performance does not carry over into expectations for the next quarter when there is a balance of 15% expecting an increase in turnover.
- The level of enquiries fell in Q4 2007 and again in the latest survey with a balance of only 4% reporting an increase in their enquiries.
- Expectations for the next year have remained fairly constant over the whole period with a balance of close to 20% expecting an increase in turnover. In the latest survey this figure has dropped dramatically to almost zero.
- Among comments made, concern is expressed in this area about the increasing competitiveness of the market.
Companies in the Midlands and East: 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 Midlands and East 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.