AUSTRALIAN businesses remain positive about the final three months of the year, according to the results of the latest D&B National Business Expectation Survey, despite talk of a rise in interest rates.
But there is concern the market’s mood could change quickly should the decision to raise rates be taken.
The survey showed sales exceeded expectations in the June quarter, with 54 per cent of businesses surveyed expecting sales to increase further in the last quarter of the year. Just 16 per cent expect sales to decrease.
However, 47 per cent believe that an official rise in interest rates will have a negative effect on their business, and more than half said a drop in consumer spending would have a negative impact on their business.
Nearly all the businesses surveyed had not noticed any slowdown in housing construction over the past six months, and did not believe any slowdown in the next six months would affect them adversely.
