CFOs look on bright side

Original article by Damon Kitney
The Australian – Page: 22 : 14-Jul-16

Some 33 per cent of CFOs at S&P/ASX 200 companies are confident about the future, according to a new Deloitte survey. This compares with just five per in the second half of 2015. The survey, which was carried out in the first half of 2016, also shows that 80 per cent of respondents think that uncertainty is a deterrent to business investment. Meanwhile, nearly 45 per cent of respondents believe that it is a good time to embrace balance sheet risk. New data from Roy Morgan Research also shows that there has been an upturn in business confidence.

CORPORATES
DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU LIMITED, ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, KPMG AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, AGL ENERGY LIMITED – ASX AGL

Gary Morgan’s comment on the surge in Roy Morgan Business Confidence in June

Original article by Gary Morgan, Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 12-Jul-16

Business Confidence was up 7.6 points in June 2016, to 119.5. However, in July it may "take a hit" given the increased size of the crossbench in the Senate. All businesses will have their eyes on the Coalition’s promised corporate tax cuts – reducing the corporate tax rate for large businesses to 25 per cent (from the current 30 per cent) over the next decade. The Coalition’s election victory means this policy is still on the agenda and the prospect of tax cuts over the next few years should continue to support Business Confidence. Investment certainty is crucial for larger businesses undertaking major projects with substantial investment expenditure.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED

Business Confidence surges in June – up 6.8% to 119.5 prior to Federal Election

Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 12-Jul-16

Roy Morgan Research’s Business Confidence jumped 6.8 per cent to 119.5 in June 2016. The rise in Business Confidence comes despite a downward trend on the Australian sharemarket in June – the All Ordinaries closed at the end of June at 5,310.40 (down 2.5 per cent -or 137.4 points – from May 31). However, the large rise in Business Confidence in June was likely more tied to the perception in the closing weeks of the Federal Election campaign that the Coalition would retain Government with a narrow victory – which turned out to be correct – despite a week of uncertainty following the Election. The increased level of Roy Morgan Business Confidence in June is now back above the five-year average (116.7).

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED

Business Confidence plunges in May – down 9.1% to 111.9 following Federal Budget and Election uncertainty

Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 26-May-16

A Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey has found that Australian business confidence fell by 9.1 per cent to 111.9 in May 2016. Business confidence is now at its lowest since a 2016 low of 110.6 in January. The fall in Business Confidence comes even after a slight improvement on the Australian sharemarket in May. However, the large drop in Business Confidence is likely more tied to a poorly received Federal Budget in early May and the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Federal Election. The weakest indicators in May relate to the upcoming year, which suggests the impact of election uncertainty. Net expectations of business performance over the next 12 months have dropped to 20.6ppts (down 17.5ppts in May) and net views of whether the next 12 months will be a "good/bad time to invest" are now 12.1ppts (down 14.2ppts).

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, MORGAN POLL, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX ALL ORDINARIES INDEX, DCNS SA

Michele Levine on the Sky Business Channel with Peter Switzer

Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 26-May-16

Roy Morgan Research CEO Michele Levine appeared on Peter Switzer’s TV show on the Sky News Business Channel on 25 May 2016. Levine discussed the findings of the latest Roy Morgan Image of Professions Survey, which has been carried out since 1979. Levine also notes that Roy Morgan Business Confidence has fallen by nine per cent in May, to 111.9.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, SKY NEWS

Business Confidence jumps again in April – up 7.4pts to 123.1

Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 28-Apr-16

A Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey has found that Australian business confidence rose by 7.4 points (or 6.4 per cent) to 123.1 in April 2016. Business confidence has now risen 12.5 points over the last three months, since a 2016 low of 110.6 in January. The rise in Business Confidence comes after more improvement on the Australian sharemarket in April, and as commodity prices rebounded in recent months following increased global stimulus. The level of business confidence in April is clearly positive for the economy overall and is now above the five-year average of 116.8. The strongest indicators in April relate to the upcoming year, with expectations of business performance over the next 12 months (+38.1) and whether the next 12 months will be a "good/bad time to invest" (+26.3).

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX ALL ORDINARIES INDEX, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION

Business Confidence rises again in March – up 2.4pts to 115.7

Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 31-Mar-16

A Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey has found that Australian business confidence rose by 2.4 points to 115.7 in March 2016, and it has now risen 5.1 points over the last two months. The rise in business confidence comes after steady improvement on the Australian sharemarket in March, after the All Ordinaries Index dropped in both January and February to start the year amid global economic concerns. The level of business confidence in March is clearly positive for the economy overall and just below the five-year average of 116.6. The weakest indicators are the performance of the business compared to a year ago (+7) and expectations of economic conditions in Australia over the next 12 months (+11).

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX ALL ORDINARIES INDEX

PM urges business to seize China opportunity

Original article by Jacob Greber
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 3-Mar-16

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Australian companies should seek to capitalise on the opportunities created by China’s transition to a consumer-focused economy. Turnbull has identified industries such as tourism and service as ones that can benefit from Australia’s growing trade relations with China, particularly as China’s demand for industrial commodities declines.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA CHINA BUSINESS COUNCIL, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Roy Morgan Business Confidence continues to drift lower in January

Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 29-Jan-16

A Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey has found that Australian business confidence fell by 3.9 points to 110.6 in January 2016, following a decline of 4.2 points in December and 0.6 points in November. The combined drop of 8.7 points (down 7.3 per cent) over the last three months is an indication that the initial increase in confidence following Malcolm Turnbull becoming Prime Minister has been outweighed by the negative local and international economic environment, which saw the ASX decline by 8.6 per cent in the first three weeks of January. Despite the negative trend in business confidence over the last three months, it is still 7.8 per cent above the level prior to the appointment of Turnbull. Business confidence is now below the five-year average of 116.8 and is a sign that confidence is very fragile and easily impacted by negative economic events.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Retailers hit with 10pc hike in insurance cover

Original article by Ruth Liew
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 19 : 28-Jan-16

Figures from commercial insurance comparison website BizCover show that small-to-medium businesses continue to benefit from strong competition in Australia’s insurance market. The retail sector is an exception. An insurance policy for a retail business may cost around $A1,700. A non-retail company would pay $A1,000 for a comparable cover. BizCover’s Small Business Insurance Index rose by five points in the fourth quarter of 2015.

CORPORATES
BIZCOVER PTY LTD, ALLIANZ AUSTRALIA LIMITED, AIG AUSTRALIA, QBE INSURANCE GROUP LIMITED – ASX QBE