Business services providers expect marginal turnover increase

In December, the number of business services providers expecting turnover to increase outnumbered those expecting a decline. Although the majority (+3 percent) was less distinct than in November (+6 percent), it was obviously larger than in the first eight months of 2009. The number of business services providers achieving a higher turnover in the past three months equalled those who faced a downturn. In November, 17 percent of providers of business services faced loss of turnover.

Providers of business services were as negative about future employment in their branch in December as they were in November. On balance, 27 percent expected to have to cut back on staff in the three months to come. Temp agencies and providers of cleaning services were more negative than last month.

Business services providers indicated that the economic climate has deteriorated over the past three months. The number of entrepreneurs reporting deterioration was smaller than in November. Although this indicator has shown a clearly negative balance since October 2008, there have bveen some signs of recovery in recent months.

Expected turnover business services