Business confidence and revenue outlook improves

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Released
20/11/2020
Source
Business Indicators, Business Impacts of COVID-19, November 2020

Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of businesses reported an increase in their monthly revenue in November compared to 16 per cent in October, according to results released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

ABS Head of Industry Statistics John Shepherd said the latest Business Impacts of COVID-19 Survey showed signs of increasing confidence among businesses.

“As well as a greater proportion of businesses experiencing an increase in their revenue in November, one quarter (25 per cent) expect revenue to increase for December. Some businesses commented that seasonal factors had influenced these expectations.”

Mr Shepherd said the survey results also included information about capital expenditure plans for the next three months.

  “One in five (22 per cent) businesses indicated they have capital expenditure plans over the next three months, with about three quarters (73 per cent) of these businesses expecting to spend the same or more than what is usual for this time of year.”

“We asked businesses what had influenced their capital expenditure plans. The most common factor reported by businesses was future economic uncertainty (29 per cent), however the proportion reporting this as a factor has halved since August (59 per cent).”

This survey is part of a series of additional products the ABS is releasing to measure the economic impact of COVID-19. Data was collected between 4 November and 11 November. Further information is available in Business Indicators, Business Impacts of COVID-19 (Cat. No. 5676.0.55.003).

The ABS thanks all those who contributed data to this release.

Media notes

  • The additional ABS products published to understand the economic impact of COVID-19 can be found on a dedicated page on the ABS website.
  • A small business is one with 0-19 employees; a medium business has 20-199 employees; and a large business has 200 or more employees.
  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.

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