Business services providers slightly more optimistic

In February, the number of business services providers expecting turnover to increase in the next three months outnumbered those expecting a decline. With +18 percent, the balance was slightly up on January (+14 percent). They were also somewhat more optimistic about turnover in the preceding three months. For the first time in more than a year, providers of business services indicated that turnover had increased.

Providers of business services were less pessimistic about future employment in their branch in February than they had been in January. Yet, on balance, 5 percent expected to have to cut back on staff in the three months to come. Business services providers remained as pessimistic about employment in the preceding three months as they were before.

Business services providers indicated that the economic climate had deteriorated over the past three months. However, the number of entrepreneurs reporting deterioration was lower than in January.

Expected turnover business services