Sent from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: MeLinda MeLisa <[email protected]> Sender: [email protected] Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:19:26 To: <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] Subject: [StockForex] South Australian businesses strongest in 'growth, cashflow' - survey
South Australian businesses strongest in 'growth, cashflow' - survey SOUTH Australian small-to-medium-sized enterprises had the nation's strongest business conditions and equal-highest cash flow position in the September quarter. The latest NAB SME quarterly survey shows business conditions in SA rose by one index point, to eight, in the three months to September 30. Nationally, the index fell by an average of one index point. SA and Western Australia reported the nation's strongest cash flow position, at 11 points. NAB state general manager nabbusiness Jacqui Colwell said the results showed SA's small businesses continued to outperform their Australian counterparts. "South Australian SMEs have maintained the highest, or equal highest, business conditions nationally for the past year," she said. "The SA economy is characterised by steady growth without the level of peaks and troughs experienced in other states." Ms Colwell said the September quarter results highlighted the effects of ongoing global economic uncertainty, speculation around interest rates and this year's drawn-out federal election. "(This) caused some business owners to defer investment plans, focus on reducing debt levels and (curb) discretionary spending," she said. The survey also reveals that confidence among SMEs for the December quarter has improved strongly. The 12-month outlook was "optimistic" at 25 points. Other key results from the survey show: * Small businesses operating in the finance and accommodation sectors had the strongest cashflow positions, with 28 and 14 points respectively. Construction and retail were the weakest in this area. * Cash flows and borrowing costs were the most critical issues for SMEs. *Business services, finance and health were the strongest performing SME sectors in the September quarter. "The period leading up to Christmas is critical for many industries, particularly the retail sector which, unlike the Australian tourism industry, can benefit from the appreciating dollar," said Ms Colwell. SOURCE: http://marketpin.blogspot.com/
