Senior executives expect economic recovery and increased profitability
NEW YORK, website July /PRNewswire/ — Expectations about corporate growth turned positive this year, according to a new survey by Ernst & Young LLP that measures attitudes about key economic and performance indicators among US companies with $500 million to $3 billion in total revenues. Respondents were particularly optimistic about revenue, profitability, technology spending and hiring. Â
According to the Ernst & Young Growth Company Leadership survey, fully 75% of senior executives questioned indicate they are optimistic about achieving their companies’ growth expectations over the next two years. Among respondents, almost two-thirds (64%) expect their revenues to increase over the next 12 months by an average of 11.3%. Fifty-eight percent anticipate profit increases this year. Â
Further, 73% are optimistic that the current economic recovery will continue to expand this year.
“Growth companies are regaining confidence that they can deliver on their potential and their promise to investors,” said Maria Pinelli, Americas Director, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young LLP. “Their beliefs about hitting strong numbers are great news and a potential bellwether for the markets and the economy as a whole.”
More than half (55%) of all respondents say domestic operations solely will drive revenue growth, with another 39% indicating a combination of domestic and international operations. Regionally, firms in the East Central and West regions are most likely to expect revenue increases this year. Nearly three in four (73%) respondents in the West expect profitability increases over the next twelve months. Growth companies in the West are the most optimistic that the current economic recovery will continue to expand this year (88% optimistic). The Southeast has the fewest believers (56% optimistic).
The industries that are most likely to expect growth in both revenue and profits, according to the survey, are technology (74% revenue and 72% profitability), financial services and retail/wholesale (both 69% revenue and 63% profitability). Financial services companies report the highest average revenue growth rate (13%).
Growth companies plan to hire over next 12 months
Forty percent of executives surveyed anticipate an increase in hiring new employees over the next 12 months. Only 22% anticipate a decrease in hiring.
“Job growth – not just maintenance – represents a turning point from the past 12 months,” said Pinelli. “The largest of these growth companies – over $1 billion in revenue – are even more positive, with 46% projecting hiring increases. With so many companies looking to hire, we foresee a substantial contribution to the overall economy. Growth companies and entrepreneurs could represent significant engines to push jobs in the right direction.”
Read the full press release here.
Where do you see the largest growth areas in the next two years?