Business confidence in Wales declined this month at a faster rate than the 海角视频 as a whole, shows research from Lloyds Commercial Banking.
Its latest business barometer reveals that while Welsh companies reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month - up three points at 37% - their optimism in the economy fell 15 points to 15%.
Taken together this gave a headline confidence reading of 26% (compared to 32% in November). 海角视频 business confidence fell two points in December to a positive net balance 39%, although remaining above the long-term average of 29%. Anything below zero denotes a negative position.
Lloyds鈥 data also shows a net balance of 32% of businesses in Wales expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 11 points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, they identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (37%), entering new markets (32%) and evolving their offering, through launching new products or services (31%).
London was the most confident 海角视频 nation or region in November (53%) for a second month in a row, followed by the north west of England (50%).
Although confidence fell in the service sector 海角视频-wide, this was partly offset by rises in manufacturing and retail, with these sectors swapping places in December.
Don't miss the latest news and analysis with our regular Wales newsletters 鈥 sign up here for free
Services fell from 46% to 35% in December 鈥 a fall of 11 points. In contrast, manufacturing and retail increased 10 points to 42% and 43% respectively, thereby taking manufacturing and retail above services for the first time in 4 months. Trading prospects for retail rose for the first time in three months, while construction confidence was steady at 41%, equalling last month鈥檚 result.
Sam Noble, director for Wales at Lloyds said: 鈥淲hile confidence has fallen this month, firms are still setting out clear plans for growth, and with more planning to hire - a move that would have benefits for businesses鈥 local communities and the Welsh economy, as well as the companies themselves. 鈥淲ith the new year around the corner, we will continue to be by the side of Welsh businesses as they make the most of the new opportunities that 2025 will bring.鈥
On the 海角视频 position Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist, Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: 鈥淚n the last few months overall confidence has fallen incrementally, and in December the trend continued as it fell by two points to 39%. While there hasn鈥檛 been any significant one-month change, confidence has gradually drifted from the summer鈥檚 highs.
鈥淭he key difference in this month鈥檚 results is that the fall in confidence is driven by firms鈥 own trading prospects which have proven to be resilient over the last quarter. There was, however, more positivity regarding the wider economy and, going into 2025, this offers some hope if companies continue to feel confident about the economy.
鈥淓lsewhere, although confidence fell in the services sector, this was partly offset by improvements in manufacturing and retail 鈥 which could be a significant for this time of year.鈥
