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Manufacturing Industry Hits Four Year Low With ‘Gloomy’ Output Prediction

Manufacturing Industry Hits Four Year Low With ‘Gloomy’ Output Prediction

Shane Donnelly August 8, 2016 News

Optimism among the UK’s manufacturing industry has slumped to a four-year low, as businesses prepare for life outside the EU – a report by BDO LLP has claimed. The Business Trends Report which surveyed over 4,000 enterprises revealed a ‘gloomy’ outlook for the sector with its optimism sub-index dropping down to 81.0 – with a score of 95 indicating contraction. General business confidence has also fallen to its lowest in three years, however the monthly drop is less severe than previous reports   – suggesting the UK’s decision to leave the European Union has made less of a negative impact than first predicted. Despite the negative trend, it’s suggested that the drop in value of the pound presents an opportunity for businesses to increase exports with overseas companies now able ... »

Research Suggests UK Economy Showed Signs of Slowing Before Brexit

Research Suggests UK Economy Showed Signs of Slowing Before Brexit

Shane Donnelly July 11, 2016 News

The UK economy was already showing signs of slowing down before the Brexit vote, according to a report from BDO LLP. Its Business Trends Report has revealed that “rising uncertainty” ahead of the EU referendum dragged down business output and optimism to three-year lows for the second month running. Business output – intended to reflect the order pipeline of companies over the next three months – was found to have dropped to 99.0, compared to 104.1 a year ago. Business optimism – predicting business growth over the next six months – also fell; down to 98.9 from 103.9. The UK manufacturing optimism sub-index slumped to 83.8, suggesting tough times ahead for those businesses in the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, small firms’ intentions to recruit more staff has ... »

UK Employment Growth Hits Two Year Low

UK Employment Growth Hits Two Year Low

Shane Donnelly May 9, 2016 News

The hiring intentions of UK businesses have hit a two-year low with the economy having witnesses the biggest monthly drop in employement grown since since the aftermath of the recession in 2008, according to a report by BDO LLP. The BDO’s latest report reveals that its ‘Employment Index’, which tracks the hiring intentions of small firms over the coming six months, has dropped from 104.8 to 102.2. The recent introduction of the National Living Wage – making employment more expensive – and uncertainty over the UK’s EU membership are suggested as possible reasons for the suspected slowdown in recruitment. Despite the negative trend, one interpretation of the data suggests that British small businesses could finally be experiencing increased productivity. Peter H... »

UK Economy Growth Halted as Services Sector Slows Down

UK Economy Growth Halted as Services Sector Slows Down

Shane Donnelly April 12, 2016 News

The UK economy is experiencing halted growth due to the services sector slowing down, according to a report out this week by BDO LLP. The survey shows that the service sector’s “stagnant” growth is affecting the confidence of UK businesses, with business optimism at its lowest in more than two years. BDO’s Output Index – which reflects companies’ experience of orders for the coming three months – has dropped from 101.7 in February to 101.3 in March this year. While BDO’s Optimism Index – which predicts growth six months ahead – has fallen to 99.4. BDO has reported that a lack of investment due to uncertainty of the UK’s EU membership has been a factor in the decline, with firms opting to delay spending until after the EU Brexit referendum on June 23. The outlook is even w... »

UK Manufacturing Exceeding Expectations

August 2, 2010 News

Britain’s manufacturers have outperformed expectations in the first half of 2010 but face the prospect of greater global economic uncertainty and financial market volatility in the rest of this year, according to latest analysis of the sector published today by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and BDO LLP. The Economic Prospects 2010 report (PDF – you will need to signup to the EEF website in order to get access to the report) contains the latest economic forecasts , which take into account official data for the first half of the year, the Budget statement, public spending cuts and forecasts for growth in world trade. According to the report, manufacturing will grow by 3.8% this year and 3.4% in 2011, outstripping that in the economy as a whole, which is forecast to expand by 1.... »