“Economic sentiment steadies”: Survey

Monday, 17 February 2025 05:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In its February edition, business magazine LMD reports that “the optimistic outlook [for economic sentiment] prevails as confidence strengthens amid positive trends.”

LMD adds: “Confidence about the economy is growing in corporate circles, buoyed by the rise of the LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI).”

And according to PepperCube Consultants, as reported in the magazine, “the improved trajectory demonstrates growing optimism within the corporate sector against a backdrop of macroeconomic stability.”

In the first week of January, when the exclusive survey was completed, 58% of BCI participants expressed confidence about the economy ‘improving’ over the next 12 months, which is a 17 point increase from December, LMD reports.

It continues: “It is noteworthy that only 8% viewed the economy with optimism ahead of the presidential election in September.” According to the leading magazine, there’s been a notable shift in sentiment among salespeople in January with a large majority of 70% of executives saying they expect an improvement in their sales volumes over the next 12 months.

“This reflects a 17% increase from December’s outcome,” LMD notes. Looking ahead, a spokesman for the magazine notes that expectations of higher sales volumes over the next three months have climbed by six percentage points to 51% – up from 45% in December.Media Services, LMD’s publisher, says the latest edition of the magazine has been released and its digital edition has been shared on WhatsApp and the publisher’s social media platforms.

The magazine’s Cover Story features the outlook for the crucial tourism industry with leading industry figures expressing hope that their expectations will be met this year. The full story has been uploaded on LMD’s website (www.LMD.lk).