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Friday, January 24 2014
Two out of three Australian businesses are more optimistic about growth this year compared to 2013. Dun & Bradstreet's Business Expectations Survey shows that 68% of respondents expect positive sales, profits, selling prices, investment and employment. The survey found that 18% of businesses are planning to access new finance during the first quarter, the highest response since the last quarter of 2011.Thirteen percent of businesses plan to increase capital spending, compared to 5% who will decrease spending. Hiring plans have also strengthened, with 15% of businesses intending to take on more staff, taking D&B's employment index to a three-year high of 8.8 points.   |