LONDON: The Financial Times and The Economist today publish the results of the Global Business Barometer, which show that three quarters of business executives admitted their companies have no contingency plans for the break-up of the eurozone despite a similar majority recognising this could have a “somewhat” or “very” significant effect on their business. Nonetheless, businesses in the Asia Pacific are more likely to have made preparations than Eastern European companies despite their greater exposure to the event.
The FT/Economist Global Business Barometer was launched a year ago with the aim of gauging business sentiment felt by business leaders, with the ability to hone global results down to region and sector. Over 1,600 senior executives participated in the barometer survey.
At the time of the survey between April 13th and May 8th 2012, business executives revealed that they think the global economy will worsen rather than improve in the next six months. However, the number of pessimists is at the lowest level since the second quarter of last year.
Martin Dickson, deputy editor of the Financial Times, said: “The Global Business Barometer is a valuable tool for charting business outlook. Amid continued uncertainty over the future of the eurozone and unease in the global economy, the barometer reflects global negative sentiment at a time when business confidence is sorely needed.”
For further analysis of the Global Business Barometer results and interactive graphic, go to www.ft.com/barometer.
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UK/EMEA
Sin Yee Hon
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