A recent business expectations survey by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) has revealed that while business expectations for profits and sales have jumped by their biggest amount in close to 21 years, the overall outlook remains negative.
The survey indicated 48 percent of respondents expect their profits to fall in the September quarter, while a mere 15 percent expect a rise in profits.
Similarly, 43 percent of firms are expecting sales to decrease in the September quarter while 19 percent are anticipating an improvement.
The survey also revealed a slight rise in the employment indicator, but reflected a largely negative outlook with 31 percent of businesses expecting to decrease staff numbers in the September quarter.
D&B chief executive Christine Christian said although the change in expectations revealed in the survey were promising, businesses are mostly “downbeat about the outlook.”
“Businesses need to remain focused on managing the challenges that lie ahead as the road to recovery remains long,” added Christian.
