Business Outlook Survey

• October 17, 2022

  Business Outlook Survey—Third Quarter of 2022

  Business confidence has softened, according to results from the third-quarter 2022 Business Outlook Survey and the July through October 2022 Business Leaders’ Pulse surveys. Many firms expect slower sales growth as interest rates rise and demand growth shifts closer to pre-pandemic levels. Early signs suggest that pressures on prices and wages have started to ease, but firms’ inflation expectations remain high.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• July 4, 2022

  Business Outlook Survey—Second Quarter of 2022

  Results from the Business Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2022, along with those from the April, May and June 2022 Business Leaders’ Pulse surveys, suggest that capacity pressures remain elevated and expectations of significant price increases continue to be widespread. Firms anticipate that sales growth will begin to moderate from exceptionally high rates as signs of greater uncertainty emerge.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• April 4, 2022

  Business Outlook Survey—First Quarter of 2022

  In the first-quarter 2022 Business Outlook Survey, reports of labour-related capacity constraints and supply chain challenges remain widespread. Given these pressures and robust demand, businesses anticipate stronger price growth—and they expect the Russian invasion of Ukraine to add more cost pressures. As public health restrictions ease, firms that were hit hard during the pandemic anticipate their sales will pick up.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• January 17, 2022

  Business Outlook Survey―Fourth Quarter of 2021

  In the fourth-quarter Business Outlook Survey, reports of supply chain bottlenecks and labour shortages remain elevated. Firms cited robust growth in demand, although those offering hard-to-distance services still had sales below pre-pandemic levels, even before the Omicron variant began spreading broadly. These factors are resulting in upward pressures on prices over the next year.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• October 18, 2021

  Business Outlook Survey―Third Quarter of 2021

  Firms anticipate stronger demand as pandemic conditions improve, according to results from the Business Outlook Survey in the third quarter of 2021. However, many businesses face supply constraints that will limit their sales and put upward pressure on their costs. Together, these demand pressures and supply challenges are driving widespread plans to invest, hire staff and increase prices.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• July 5, 2021

  Business Outlook Survey—Summer 2021

  Results from the summer Business Outlook Survey point to continued improvement in business sentiment. Firms tied to high-contact services still face challenges but are becoming more confident that sales will pick up as vaccination rates rise. This suggests an important broadening in the recovery ahead.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• April 12, 2021

  Business Outlook Survey—Spring 2021

  Results from the spring Business Outlook Survey suggest that business sentiment continues to improve. Firms reported less uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening demand from weak levels. Still, the recovery remains uneven, with firms tied to high-contact services facing ongoing challenges.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• January 11, 2021

  Business Outlook Survey—Winter 2020–21

  In the winter Business Outlook Survey, firms pointed to a continued recovery supported by strengthening domestic and foreign demand, particularly in goods-producing sectors. Still, firms expect the recovery to be uneven; in particular, businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic anticipate challenging times ahead.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• October 19, 2020

  Business Outlook Survey—Autumn 2020

  With many containment measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic being lifted, results from the autumn Business Outlook Survey suggest that business sentiment has improved but remains weak across all regions. Businesses expect the pace of the recovery in their sales to slow.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey
• July 6, 2020

  Business Outlook Survey—Summer 2020

  Results from the summer Business Outlook Survey suggest that business sentiment is strongly negative in all regions and sectors due to impacts from the COVID 19 pandemic and the drop in oil prices. Firms reported that weak demand is reducing both capacity pressures and expectations for price growth.

  Content Type(s): Publications, Business Outlook Survey