Spring's barometer for small and medium-sized enterproses has been published
The economic expectations of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have remained largely unchanged since last autumn, but they show some improvement from a year ago.
The willingness of SMEs to invest has remained modest. In all main sectors, companies reducing their investments outnumber those planning to increase them.
Despite the uncertainty, the plans of SMEs to recruit employees have not changed considerably compared to the autumn barometer. Of all SMEs, 14 per cent intend to increase the number of staff, while 12 per cent expects the number of staff to fall. However, most SMEs (74 per cent) plan to retain the current number of employees.
The growth orientation of SMEs has decreased for a long time, but now the decline seems to have levelled off. More than one third of SMEs are either seeking strong growth or seeking growth when it is possible. The proportion of strongly growth-oriented SMEs has risen slightly from the record lows of last year.
The growth orientation of SMEs has decreased for a long time, but now the decline seems to have levelled off. More than one third of SMEs are either seeking strong growth or seeking growth when it is possible.