Business ‘good’ for half of SMEs, survey finds

Almost 50% of SMEs rate their business as being in strong shape, with almost 80% saying they have either maintained or improved profitability since the start of the year.

Gauging the mood of its members over the course of the first three months of this year, the Small Firms Association (SFA) said yesterday that 49% of firms rated their own business as either being “good” or “very good”, with just over 20% saying they hoped to increase their employee numbers before the end of this year.

Over 40% of companies rated the overall business environment as being positive at present, which was a marked increase on the 35% who felt the same way at the end of last year. SFA director, Patricia Callan said: “The survey shows that business conditions are steadily improving and points towards business and economic growth over the coming quarters,” Ms Callan said.