Business services monitor: second quarter of 2010

Turnover growth of business services was again lower in the second quarter of 2010 compared to a year earlier. Turnover fell by less than in the first quarter. Companies providing business services were positive on thecurrent economic climate.

Slight recovery 

In the second quarter, turnover of business services was 3.8 percent down on the same quarter in 2009. The cautious recovery of the economy was especially visible in the figures for temp agencies. After seven quarters of decrease, the demand for temporary workers increased slightly for the first time in this quarter. Advertising agencies also did better business than in the preceding quarters. For architects, on the other hand, there was still no sign of recovery – their turnover was 14 percent lower than twelve months previously. Indeed, they suffered the largest loss of all branches of business services covered in this survey.

Year-on-year turnover changes

Opinions more positive again

The Business Sentiment Survey of July 2010 shows that companies providing business services were positive about the current economic climate for the second quarter in succession. Opinions on the economic climate have improved consistently since the second quarter of 2009.

Opinions on the economic climate

No increase in future workforce expected

Despite being fairly optimistic about the economic climate, two-thirds of companies in the business services sector do not expect changes in the future workforce. Their turnover expectations are still negative. A net 6 percent of companies in this sector expect turnover to fall in the third quarter; 5 percent also expect prices to rise.

Expectations for the third quarter of 2010