Pulse Results are In

The latest Suncorp-CCIQ Pulse Survey of Business Conditions, a quarterly survey conducted to give a snapshot of business conditions in Queensland, found that while the momentum of recovery continued, the economy is stalled due to ongoing restrictions

Lifting restrictions needed to save businesses and jobs

• One in three businesses indicated an increase in sales and revenue;

• One-half of businesses are still experiencing a decline in their profitability; and

• Nearly all surveyed businesses (99%) believe they could only survive up to 12 months when stimulus support ends.

CCIQ economist Jack Baxter said that while overall business sentiment increased from the previous quarter, the forecasted trends are plateauing well short of a full recovery.

“The results of the latest survey show businesses feel the recovery being experienced to date will be as good as it gets if there are no changes to current operating conditions,” Mr Baxter said.

“Many small businesses are still experiencing a stimulus-driven recovery in sales and revenue, but ongoing restrictions are constraining their ability to manage costs and boost profitability.

“One-half of respondents indicated their profitability continues to decline, despite a sharp improvement being recorded across the performance and cost indicators as business re-open.

“This indicates that despite being open and trading, social distancing and patron limits put a cap on profitability and economic productivity.

“And despite that decreased profitability, the crisis has not impacted their fixed operating costs. There’s still utility bills, rent and insurance to pay with deferred payments becoming due in the New Year.
“The concern for business is being expected to operate in these same conditions, with the same caps on their profitability, but without stimulus support. And that leads to no room for ongoing recovery,” Mr Baxter said.

Mr Baxter flagged that the September quarter’s Hot Topic Survey raised further concern, with nearly all Queensland businesses now uncertain about their survival during the New Year as stimulus support ends.

“When stimulus support ends, and when loan repayments, deferrals and tax breaks resume, businesses must be standing on their own two feet.