The ISME has released its latest Quarterly Business Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2018. This survey was conducted in the second last week of July, with a 10% membership response rate with 51% of whom employ less than 10, 40% employ between 11 and 49 and the remaining 9% employ between 50 and 250.

Geographically, 38% are from Dublin; 51% are spread across the rest of the country and 11% have multiple sites. 

The report shows a slight improvement on the first quarter of 2018. Seven out of 12 confidence indicators showed declines, an improvement on 10 out of 12 in the previous quarter. 

Business Confidence continues to decline dropping by a further 5% this quarter. Brexit remains the biggest concern for SMEs followed by Economic Uncertainty. 

According to the report, 58% of businesses expect to increase wage rates.

Source: www.businessworld.ie