The annual economic outlook survey from the Richmond Events’ Business Panel is now available. Headline findings include:-

• Government’s handling of the economy: 3% rate the government’s handling of the economy as very good, 44% as acceptable, 41% could have been better and 8% as shocking.
• Interest rates: the panel predicts interest rates will be at (average) 0.8% in 1 year’s time and 1.65% in 3 years’ time.
• Growth: Not a single respondent expects the economy to grow significantly over the coming year, whilst 30% expect it to grow marginally. A further 52% expect it to stay much the same as it is now, whilst 16% expect it to shrink a little and 2% shrink a lot.
• Headcount: 25% of organisations have increased headcount over the last year. The number who have reduced headcount, and may do so again, has fallen slightly: 34% to 31%.
• Turnover: just under half expect their turnover to increase, with a further third expecting it to remain the same. As a result, those who feel their turnover will probably reduce comprise only 13% of the panel.
• Profit: Less than half the panel feel their organisation’s profit will increase in 2013, slightly down from last year. 14% feel their profits will fall this year - 5% less than last year. 4% are undecided.

For a full copy of this free report, please contact David Clark.
 

Our latest Business Panel report on the UK economic outlook is now available. Headline findings include:-

• Only 8% rate the government’s handling of the economy as very good, 52% as acceptable, 28% could have been better and 8% as shocking. 
• The panel predicts interest rates will be at (average) 0.8% in 1 year’s time and 1.88% in 3 years’ time.
• Not a single respondent expects the economy to grow significantly over the coming year, whilst 24% expect it to grow marginally.  A further 45% expect it to stay much the same as it is now, whilst 29% expect it to shrink a little and 2% shrink a lot.  These figures are down versus last year.
• The Retail sector is the most pessimistic, with 92% predicting things are going to get a little or a lot tougher (transport & travel are the only ones who predict ‘carnage’!)  
• Less than half the panel feel their organisation’s profit will increase in 2012, though up from 41% last year.  19% feel their profits will fall this year, 6% more than last year.  3% are undecided.
• Budgets – mixed news. The proportion expecting an increase has remained similar to last year, 23% down from 24%. However this figure is still dwarfed by the 33% expecting a decrease (though also down from 37% last year). The remaining 44% don’t expect to see a change.   

Download the full report.

For further information please contact David Clark.