Latest news with #businessconfidence
Reuters
16-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Japan manufacturers' sentiment improves in July despite tariff woes: Reuters Tankan poll
TOKYO, July 16 (Reuters) - Japanese manufacturers' business confidence improved slightly in July and is expected to strengthen further in the coming months despite ongoing concerns about U.S. tariffs, thanks to recovery in the semiconductor sector, a Reuters Tankan poll showed. The monthly poll, which tracks the Bank of Japan's quarterly tankan business survey, showed the manufacturers' sentiment index rising to plus 7 in July from plus 6 in June, while the service-sector index remained unchanged at plus 30 for the third consecutive month. Manufacturers expect sentiment to improve further to plus 8 by October, while service firms forecast their outlook will soften to plus 27, according to the July 2-11 survey of 497 major non-financial companies, of which 241 responded on condition of anonymity. Among manufacturers, the electronics machinery sector index improved to minus 4 in July from minus 16 in June, and chemicals rose to plus 18 from plus 12, with some citing the ameliorating chip demand. "There's brightness visible in some parts of the semiconductor industry, though other areas remain stagnant," a rubber maker manager said. In contrast, the transport machinery sector, which includes Japan's crucial car industry, saw its index falling to plus 9 from plus 20 in June, with some managers referring to the impact of U.S. 25% auto tariffs on export volumes and costs. Although overall sentiment remains in positive territory, manufacturers continue to monitor potential risks from U.S. trade policies. "While there are predictions among our users that the impact of Trump's tariffs can be negative, for now we're in a wait-and-see situation," a paper and pulp industry manager said, highlighting the prevailing uncertainty. Some expressed concern about investment appetite. "Our customers are becoming cautious about capital expenditure due to economic slowdown caused by U.S. tariffs and uncertainty in the Middle East situation," one machinery maker manager noted. The service sector was mixed overall, with wholesalers' confidence improving but the sentiment of property, retail, IT and transport sectors down from June. A retail company manager noted an ambivalent mood, with supermarkets benefiting from higher customer spending on successful price hikes, while department stores suffered from a decline in sales compared to last year's surge in inbound tourism. The poll results come as Japan's export-dependent economy faces headwinds from global trade tensions. Japan's economy shrank in the first quarter on lukewarm consumption. Exports fell in May for the first time in eight months, stoking fears of a recession, defined as two straight quarters of contraction.
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Small businesses transform Cape Town CBD with record growth
Confidence is climbing in Cape Town's central business district, with business sentiment reaching its highest point since 2020. According to the Cape Town Central City Improvement District's (CCID) Q1 2025 Business Confidence Survey – based on responses from 293 businesses in its inner-city footprint, a remarkable 94.8 % of respondents were satisfied with current conditions – up from 91.6 % the previous quarter. In addition, two-thirds (66.1 %) of respondents believe the economic environment in the city centre has improved over the past year, signalling a positive shift in local economic conditions. This growing optimism is being driven in no small part by dynamic small business owners who are playing a pivotal role in reshaping the inner city's economic landscape. 'Retailers in the Cape Town CBD have shown remarkable resilience and a willingness to adapt, innovate and reimagine their spaces over the past few years,' says Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of the CCID. 'This entrepreneurial energy is clearly paying off – confidence in future business performance remains strong, with nearly 75 % of businesses rating their 12-month outlook at four or five out of five. It's an encouraging sign that the inner city continues to offer fertile ground for growth and opportunity.' Post-pandemic rejuvenation The recovery of Cape Town's CBD post-pandemic is compelling. Retail research by the CCID reveals that the total number of businesses in the city centre grew from 3,116 in 2022 to 3,302 in 2023, meaning 186 new businesses were established in a year – from clothing stores to coffee shops, art galleries, legal and medical practices and artists' studios. This groundswell of entrepreneurial activity is especially significant given the challenges the CBD faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, which tested many small businesses and ultimately paved the way for a remarkable recovery. Colette MacLennan, owner of the eatery The General Store in Bree Street, remembers those difficult times well. 'It was hardcore …. we hung on for dear life,' she admits, saying that to survive, the store created meals for patrons to eat at home. 'If you can get through that, you can pretty much do anything.' Today, business is thriving. 'We started as a team of four and now, after 10 years, there are 12 of us,' MacLennan says. She believes the secret to their success is the venue's proximity to their loyal customer base. 'No day is ever the same, but our offering of fresh, healthy meals is consistent,' she says. 2The CBD drawcard For business owners like MacLennan, the buzz of 'town' is irresistible. 'I just knew the CBD was the right market for what I wanted for The General Store,' she comments. Richard Lemkus, owner of iconic sneaker St Georges Mall store Lemkus (formerly Jack Lemkus, which dates to 1935), says doing business in town is multidimensional. 'We believe in the future of the inner city,' he asserts, 'not just as a business location, but as a cultural and creative hub.' He believes momentum is building, along with an openness to new ideas. 'People are looking for authentic experiences and there's space to deliver those in a way that is both world-class and rooted in Cape Town,' he says. Casey Augoustides, co-developer of The Barracks building, concurs. 'The energy of innovation and creativity you find in the inner city attracts many niche commercial business owners who are like-minded,' he states. 'They're all trying to do something exciting and different with their businesses in a prime location and we really love this.' The development of the heritage building, on the corner of Bree and Strand Sts, is a case in point. 'The intention was to attract a good mix of commercial tenants to complement the apartments, and the street,' Augoustides explains. Commercial tenants include the iconic Mike's Sports, high-end kitchen appliance store Officine Gullo, iconic sneaker store Shelflife, and a rooftop wellness centre, Lighthouse Holistic. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK small business growth forecasts hit lockdown levels: Novuna
The percentage of UK small businesses predicting growth has dropped for the fourth consecutive quarter, reaching levels last seen during the 2020 lockdown, according to Novuna Business Finance. The decline follows a year after the Labour Government took office, with small business confidence falling from an initial 35% 'Election Bounce' to a five-year low of 26%. Often seen as the hub of small business growth, London experienced a significant drop in confidence. The percentage of businesses in the city predicting growth in the next three months fell to 37%, down from 48% in the previous quarter. Across other UK regions, notable declines occurred from the first quarter (Q1), with the north-east dropping from 42% to 29%, the West Midlands decreasing from 36% to 24%, and Scotland declining from 29% to 22%. The findings are based on the July 2025 Business Barometer study by Novuna Business Finance, which tracks growth forecasts from a representative sample of more than 1,000 small business owners each quarter. For the next three months, growth outlooks vary by industry sector. While manufacturing and construction sectors showed modest recovery from record lows in Q1 2025, real estate, transport, and distribution sectors saw significant declines. Seasonal businesses in agriculture, hospitality, and leisure also reported sharp falls in growth outlook. Novuna Business Finance's head of insight Jo Morris said: 'This time last year, the election bounce of a new Government taking office saw an immediate rise in small business confidence – with the percentage predicting growth rising from 30% to 35%. Ever since then, small business growth forecasts have fallen over four consecutive quarters. The new low of 26% for the three months to 30 September is on a par with the lockdown months of 2020. 'Our new report on small business outlook over the last year looks closely at how recent market developments - such as the NI hike for employers, uncertainty over tariffs and fears over autumn tax rises - have played out on small business confidence and their growth predictions.' Additionally, a February report from Novuna Business Finance revealed that workplace concerns are causing sleepless nights for small business owners. Nationally, 82% of business owners reported experiencing broken sleep due to business worries, up from 75% a year ago. "UK small business growth forecasts hit lockdown levels: Novuna" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
London small business confidence slumps to levels not seen since the pandemic
Confidence among London's small business community has collapsed since the Spring to levels not seen since the pandemic, a new survey shows today. A year on from Labour's landslide election win the percentage of small businesses in the capital predicting growth in the coming quarter has slumped from 48% to 37% over the last three months. It peaked at 57% in the last quarter of 2024. Nationally the proportion forseeing growth fell for the fourth consecutive quarter to 26%, plummeting to the low levels last seen during the lockdown era of 2020 and 2021, according to new research from Novuna Business Finance. The draining away of confidence in the engine room of the private sector spells more bad news for a Government that promised to make boosting economic growth its top priority. In London there was a sharp fall in the percentage of enterprises predicting growth in the next three months – 37%, falling from 48% last quarter and a peak of 57% in the final months of 2024. The Spring quarter of the year was a tough one for business that saw new rates of employer National Insurance contributions kick in on April 6. The July 2025 findings are drawn from Novuna's quarterly Business Barometer study a poll of more than 1000 small businesses that has been running for 11 years. The research was conducted by YouGov between 16th June and 3rd July. By industry sector, the growth picture for the next three months was mixed: manufacturing saw a jump from 19% to 25% while construction rose from 19% to 24%, perhaps both sectors boosted by the cut in interest rates in February and May. However, there were significant falls in real estate, transport and distribution and hospitality and leisure. Jo Morris, head of insight at Novuna Business Finance said: 'This time last year, the election bounce of a new Government taking office saw an immediate rise in small business confidence – with the percentage predicting growth rising from 30% to 35%. 'Ever since then, small business growth forecasts have fallen over four consecutive quarters. The new low of 26% for the three months to 30 September is on a par with the lockdown months of 2020. 'The picture in London is of particular concern because small businesses in the capital have always shown resilience in leading the growth agenda for the country at large. If the sharp fall in growth forecasts on London from 57% to 37% since the end of last year stands as a weather vane for the country, then small businesses are set for a challenging second half of 2025.' 'Our new report on small business outlook over the last year looks closely at how recent market developments - such as the NI hike for employers, uncertainty over tariffs and fears over autumn tax rises - have played out on small business confidence and their growth predictions. 'Whilst the economic picture for many enterprises is very challenging, periods of uncertainty can also be times to invest in long-term success, and Novuna Business Finance is committed to helping established enterprises make the investments that will power future growth.'
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Business confidence at highest level in eight months, RBS finds
Business confidence has risen to its highest level in eight months, according to a Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) survey. The private sector also saw its strongest rise in activity since November, the bank's growth tracker found. Overall, the combined output of Scotland's manufacturing and service sectors rose from a score of 50.5 in May to 50.9 in June. It marks the second consecutive monthly rise in business activity. RBS said that while the uptick was modest overall, it was the strongest since November 2024. The growth was driven entirely by the services sector with new project funding and a rise in demand underscoring the uptick. Manufacturing continued to fall sharply, the tracker found. Overall, business confidence improved to its highest level of optimism in eight months. Judith Cruickshank, chair of the One Bank Scotland Board, said: 'Scotland's private sector recorded a sustained uptick in activity at the end of the second quarter, with growth predominantly driven by service providers. 'In contrast, the manufacturing sector faced a challenging demand environment, leading to overall declines in new business and production. 'Despite these sectoral differences, firms exhibited increased optimism about the future, with manufacturers reporting positive growth forecasts for the first time in three months. 'In June, private sector firms encountered sharply rising operating costs, but selling price inflation slowed notably. This suggests a willingness among businesses to absorb some costs to bolster sales. 'The employment landscape remained broadly stable compared to the previous month, with sector data continuing to highlight diverging trends between manufacturers and service providers.' The UK as a whole saw output growth rise to a nine-month high, the tracker found, driven by expansions in business activity across eight of the 12 nations and regions monitored by the survey. Companies in Scotland recorded a ninth successive monthly fall in incoming new orders during June. The reduction in new work was centred on the manufacturing sector as services firms reported another expansion. UK-wide, new business rose for the first time in seven months. In Scotland, private sector companies remained optimistic about the year-ahead for activity in June. The degree of positive sentiment rose for a third straight month to the highest since October but was weaker than that recorded for the UK as a whole. Confidence across Scotland was supported by plans to introduce new product lines, improved operational performance, and strategic marketing efforts, the survey found. And after a slight rise in employment in May, Scotland's workforce numbers were broadly unchanged in June. Services firms reported increases in staffing levels amid upturns in new business and activity. However, this was offset by another month of job shedding at manufacturers. A near universal fall in headcounts was also recorded across the 12 monitored UK regions and nations, with Northern Ireland being the sole exception. Among the remaining areas, Scotland experienced the least pronounced drop in employment and one that was only 'fractional', RBS said. Since mid-2024, Scottish firms have continued to record a drop in backlogs of work, although June's rate of depletion was the weakest in eight months. RBS said that the fall is driven by a lack of orders in manufacturing which has allowed firms to complete outstanding orders. According to the survey, Scottish firms signalled another marked increase in average input costs during June. It found the rate of inflation quickened from May and was 'historically elevated'. Survey respondents often reported higher costs for materials, labour and energy, as well as rising supplier prices. However, the rise was less pronounced in Scotland compared to the UK as a whole. Firms north of the order also raised their output prices at a reduced rate in June. RBS described said the latest increase in charges was 'solid' but still amounted to the slowest rate in 11 months and was similar to the UK-wide average. Where higher charges were recorded, they were primarily attributed to the pass-through of increased operating expenses to customers.
