Business confidence increased by per cent points to 35 per cent at the start of this year, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. The increase this month is to the highest level since April 2017, and is above the long-term average of 32 per cent. However, the measure still remains below the pre-EU referendum average of 44 per cent.
The rise in overall business confidence is driven by a 9-month high in economic optimism, which jumped 23 points to 31 per cent. This is well above the long term average of 19 per cent, but still remains below the pre-EU referendum average of 39 per cent.
Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects dipped this month by nine points to 39 per cent. This was driven by a downward shift of four points to 50 per cent in those expecting a rise in business activity this year. Businesses expecting to see lower activity this year edged up by five points 11 per cent, while those expecting the same levels of activity dropped by one point to 39 per cent.
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, comments, ‘Although business prospects have softened from last month’s high, overall business confidence has started the year on a strong footing. The sharp increase in economic optimism signals that downside risks have eased and the economy is likely to continue to expand in Q1 this year.’
Following the agreement on the first stage of Brexit negotiations last December, companies are now slightly more positive than negative about the impact on their business activity of the decision to leave the EU. Thirty-one percent say that Brexit is expected to have a positive impact on activity, while 28 per cent said it would have a negative impact. In the final quarter of 2017, 16 per cent said that Brexit would have a positive impact and 27 per cent said it would be negative.
Overall, companies’ hiring intentions are showing signs that they have improved in recent months, with the net balance of firms expecting to increase headcount over the next year remaining positive. Hiring intentions improved by seven points to 30 per cent, which has now breached the long term average of 29 per cent. Companies indicating that they expect to increase staff levels over the next year jumped by 14 points to 46 per cent, whereas those expecting lower staff levels also increased by seven points to 16 per cent.
There is little sign, however, of any significant pickup in average pay growth predicted for the coming year. Companies reported a median annual increase in average pay in the range of 1 per cent to 2 per cent over the past year and expect a similar increase for the next twelve months, although there appears to be a slight shift in the share towards 1 per cent to 2 per cent for the coming year from lower pay growth in the past year.
Scott Barton, managing director, Mid Markets, Commercial Banking, comments, ‘Business confidence hit a nine month high in January, which also saw increased economic optimism – reflected in the boost to firms’ hiring intentions. London and the North West recorded the strongest confidence levels, whilst Scotland and the North East the lowest.’
Regionally, overall business confidence in London and the North West recorded the strongest sentiment, both at 47 per cent. The South West (35 per cent), East Midlands (34 per cent), Yorkshire and the Humber (31 per cent), East of England (30 per cent) and South East (28 per cent) were all near the national average. Weakest overall confidence levels were in Wales (14 per cent), the North East (18 per cent) and Scotland (18 per cent). Concerns about the demand outlook were particularly high in Wales and Scotland, while competition was a notable challenge cited by companies in the North East.
The construction sector reported the highest level of overall confidence at 42 per cent, followed by ‘other’ services at 36 per cent and manufacturing at 32 per cent. Overall confidence is weakest in consumer services at 27 per cent, and is weighed down by retail 17 per cent.
In terms of employment expectations by industry, the findings broadly reflect their overall confidence. The strongest net balances for staff levels were in construction (42 per cent), while manufacturing (32 per cent) and ‘other’ services (30 per cent) were near the average. The weakest net balance was in consumer services (15 per cent), which was again pulled down by weaker performances in the retail sector (1 per cent).
Further reading on business confidence
