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The global poll of 1,162 accountants shows that confidence remains above the record low reached at the end of 2018, consistent with a modest global economic slowdown.
The global orders index – a lead indicator of activity – also fell in Q2 and is consistent with this view. Significantly, global cost pressures eased again, with 45% of respondents citing this as an issue, down from 55% a year ago.
Sentiment in the US and China revealed high levels of uncertainty, with the US results showing a sharp fall in confidence to the lowest level in eight years, largely due to trade tensions as tariffs were increased to 25% on a range of Chinese imports. The orders index points to a slowdown in US growth through the second half, but no recession.
Chinese data indicates a weakening picture with significant falls in confidence and orders in the quarter. The short term outlook is relatively weak with data so far this year showing falling imports and anaemic industrial output.
Confidence in the UK economy also fell back from Q1 but not to the low levels of Q4 2018. The message from the GECS continues to be moderate growth, restrained especially by stagnant business investment spending, hampered by Brexit uncertainty UK growth this year is on course to be around 1% while the prospects for next year depend heavily on the Brexit outcome.
Michael Taylor, chief economist at ACCA says: ‘The GECS points to a slowing global economy with significant downside risks reflected in weak confidence. The biggest risk to the global economy remains a significant further escalation in the US-China trade war. A sharp slowdown in China and a no deal Brexit are additional downside risks.’