Billions in gains on offer from US-China skirmish

Original article by Glenda Korporaal
The Australian – Page: 20 : 8-Mar-19

A PwC report has concluded that Australia’s manufacturing, education and resources sectors are amongst those that could benefit from the US-China trade war. The report suggests that the domestic economy could potentially be bolstered by up to $2bn a year if the trade tensions continue. PwC economist Jeremy Thorpe says local businesses should be looking at how they can capitalise on any trade opportunities that may arise as a result of the tensions between the US and China.

CORPORATES
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AUSTRALIA (INTERNATIONAL) PTY LTD

Business Confidence virtually unchanged in February at 105.6

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 8-Mar-19

Roy Morgan Business Confidence was virtually unchanged at 105.6 (down 0.3 points) in February. However, the consecutive ratings under 110 represent the weakest start to a year in the history of the Index dating back to 2011, and follow a slowing of the Australian economy to a GDP growth rate of only 0.2% during the December quarter, the slowest quarterly growth since 2016. Business Confidence in February was 14.4pts below its level of a year ago, and 10.3pts below its long-term average of 115.9. However, some industries have started 2019 with high and increasing confidence, including mining, accommodation and food services, and transport, postal and warehousing. Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says business confidence should improve in the second half of 2019, once the federal and New South Wales elections are out of the way.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Sims wants to hit companies in the share price for misconduct

Original article by Andrew White, Perry Williams
The Australian – Page: 19 & 23 : 27-Feb-19

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims has outlined the competition watchdog’s priorities for 2019. They include greater scrutiny of advertising services on digital media platforms, customer loyalty schemes that collect and use data, and consumer protection guarantees for large household items. Sims also says he hopes courts will use consumer penalty laws passed in 2018 to impose fines for corporate misconduct that are sufficient to have a material effect on a company’s share price.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, DEUTSCHE BANK AG, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MARITIME, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA

Business Confidence up for third straight month to 113.8 in November

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 3-Dec-18

In Australia, Business Confidence rose 0.7pts (+0.6%) to 113.8 in November 2018, according to the latest Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey. Business Confidence has continued a rebound which began following the Liberal leadership instability in late August. Business Confidence is now above where it was in July (113.6), prior to the leadership challenge, for the first time. Business Confidence so far during 2018 has averaged 115.6, the highest yearly average since 2014. Businesses are largely positive, with 51.1% (up 5.9ppts) expecting the business to be ‘better off financially’ this time next year and 51.8% (up 2.3ppts) expecting ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next five years. Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says there is rising confidence across a broad number of industries compared to this time a year ago.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Manufacturing, mining to power capex rebound

Original article by John Kehoe
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 6 : 30-Nov-18

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that capital expenditure in the private sector is now expected to top $114.1bn in 2018-19, compared with a previous forecast of $102bn. The mining and manufacturing sectors are tipped to be the key drivers of the upturn in capital expenditure. Meanwhile, the figures show that private sector capex fell by 0.5 per cent in the September quarter, primarily due to lower expenditure in the mining sector.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS, JP MORGAN SECURITIES AUSTRALIA LIMITED, TD SECURITIES, COMMONWEALTH SECURITIES LIMITED, MORGAN STANLEY AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Business Confidence in September rebounds after leadership instability

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 8-Oct-18

In Australia, Business Confidence rose 1.3pts (+1.2%) to 111.5 in September 2018, according to the latest Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey. Business Confidence had improved in early August before plunging late in the month following the Liberal leadership instability. Business Confidence remains 1.7pts below its level in September 2017 and 4.7pts below its long-term average of 116.2. However, Business Confidence so far during 2018 has averaged 116.0, the highest yearly average since 2014. Businesses remain largely positive, with 51% (up 0.5ppts) expecting "good times" for the Australian economy over the next five years and 48.2% (up 0.4ppts) saying now is a "good time to invest in growing the business". Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says that analysing Business Confidence by State shows that falls in Business Confidence in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland have driven the overall figure down compared to a year ago. Importantly, both Victoria and New South Wales face State elections during the next six months.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Business Confidence in August hit by political uncertainty

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 10-Sep-18

Roy Morgan Business Confidence was down 3.4 points (-3%) to 110.2 points in August. However, analysing Business Confidence throughout August shows Consumer Confidence before August 20 was 115.0 points, while it plunged to 99.5 points during the last third of the month beginning the week of the leadership challenge (August 20-31, 2018). In August, Business Confidence remained below its level of a year ago and is now 4.2 points lower than in August 2017 and 6.1 points below its long-term average of 116.3 points. However, despite now falling for four consecutive months, Business Confidence throughout the first eight months of 2018 has averaged 116.6 points – above the long-term average and the highest yearly average since 2014. Businesses remain largely positive in August with a majority of businesses, 50.5% (unchanged) expecting ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next five years and nearly half, 47.8%, saying now is a ‘good time to invest in growing the business’.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Roy Morgan Net Trust survey shows trust is the foundation of all human connections whereas distrust destroys social cohesion – instantly

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 31-Aug-18

Roy Morgan’s Net Trust Survey is the landmark survey which has now been conducted nine times since October 2017. It has explored in detail how the gaining and maintaining of "Trust" is key to businesses developing and growing their market share, while "Distrust" of a brand or business represents a significant problem for the business. In the latest presentation on Trust and Distrust at ABCTV’s Q&A studio in Sydney Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine and Social Scientist Dr. Ross Honeywill explored how rising levels of "Distrust" in a business can trigger increasing customer churn, negatively impact customer acquisition and retention and is an effective "bellwether" for the sustainability of a business. To learn more about the latest results of Roy Morgan’s Net Trust Survey follow this link for access to the latest Net Trust Report.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

July Business Confidence down for third straight month to 113.6

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 6-Aug-18

In Australia, Business Confidence fell 0.8pts (-0.7%) to 113.6 in July 2018, according to the latest Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey. Business Confidence has dropped below its level of a year ago for the first time in 2018 and is now 3.4pts lower than in July 2017, and 2.7pts below its long-term average of 116.3. However, despite falling for three consecutive months following the Federal Budget, Business Confidence throughout the first seven months of 2018 has averaged 117.5 – above the long-term average and the highest yearly average since 2014. Businesses remain largely positive, with 50.9% (up 4.4ppts) saying now is a "good time to invest in growing the business" and 50.5% (up 0.2ppts) expecting "good times" for the Australian economy over the next five years. Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says that towards the end of July there was some good news for businesses, which traditionally prefer certainty rather than uncertainty. The victories for Labor at the "Super Saturday" by-elections removed the temptation for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to call an early election later this year. Turnbull has since confirmed that he plans on calling the next Federal Election in May 2019 and has re-affirmed the Government’s pledge to legislate further business tax cuts when Parliament resumes.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

June Business Confidence down to 114.4

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 9-Jul-18

In Australia, Business Confidence fell 2.7pts (-2.3%) to 114.4 in June 2018, according to the latest Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey. However, it remains 2.6pts higher than a year ago and continues its best start to a year since 2014. Business Confidence traditionally falls in the months immediately following the Federal Budget and this year is no exception. Business Confidence has now decreased in six out of the last eight years in the two months following the Federal Budget (May and June). Despite the overall fall in confidence, businesses are still largely confident about the prospects for the Australian economy; 54.2% (down 0.2ppts) expect "good times" for the economy over the next 12 months and 50.3% (down 1.2ppts) expect "good times" for the economy over the next five years. Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says the decision by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to support the Federal Government’s company tax cuts for any business turning over up to $50 million came too late to impact Business Confidence in June but will support Business Confidence in July and following months.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK COMMISSION