The document reports on business optimism levels in various economies based on a survey conducted by Grant Thornton. Some key findings include: - Business optimism in the US climbed to 74%, the fifth highest globally, as the economy is expected to recover from a harsh winter. - Confidence increased in the Eurozone led by Ireland and Germany, though France and Italy remained weak. - The UK had very high optimism, behind only India and Ireland, with strong growth forecasts. - Optimism slipped slightly in China to 30% due to concerns about economic growth and debt levels. - India had the highest confidence globally following elections that brought a business-friendly administration to power.

1. Grant Thornton IBR Q2-2014 results
How optimistic are you for your economy over the next 12 months?
To examine IBR results going back to 1992, use our data visualisation tool: https://dataviztool.internationalbusinessreport.com/ibr.html
Sample: 2,500 mid-market business leaders interviewed in 34 economies
Source: Grant Thornton IBR 2014
United States
Business optimism is the
US climbed back up to
74%, the fifth highest globally,
with the economy expected
to shrug off the effects of a
harsh winter.
eurozone
Confidence in the eurozone
continues to climb, led by
Ireland (84%) and Germany
(79%), although France (-14%)
and Italy (6%) remain in the
doldrums.
United Kingdom
Business optimism remains
very high – behind only India
and Ireland globally; growth
forecasts are the strongest
in G7 and unemployment is
falling rapidly.
Russia
Russian business optimism
climbed to 15% despite
international sanctions
following the Ukraine crisis;
however business growth
indicators fell.
China
Optimism slipped slightly
to 30% in Q2 as business
concerns persist over the
growth trajectory of the
economy and high levels
of local government debt.
Japan
Optimism fell to 5% in Japan
in Q2, although it remains
elevated in historical terms;
the new sales tax rate and
worsening relations with
China are key concerns.
-80
-60
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
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80
2014-2013-2012-
60
80
Latin America
A sharp fall in Mexican
confidence, where growth
rates have disappointed
despite a raft of reforms,
and continued social unrest
in Argentina and Brazil pulled
the Q2 result down.
South Africa
Optimism recovered in Q2
despite economic contraction
of 0.6% in first quarter (the
largest since 1967) on the
back of continuing mine
strikes.
Turkey
Confidence in Turkey moved
back into positive territory
but remains depressed by
historical standards while
political polarisation and
pressure on the lira continue.
India
Confidence is the highest
in the world following the
landslide election of the
business-friendly Narenda
Modi who has vowed to
boost growth.
Australia
Business confidence has
climbed to its highest since
2010 with the construction
and mining sectors showing
particularly strong growth.
ASEAN
Improvement in Thailand,
where the military have
restored order, is mitigated
by a decline in confidence in
Indonesia, where the election
result remains uncertain.
Global
-80
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80
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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20
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80
2014-2013-2012-
80
35
15
30
43
50
22
86
31
35
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
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80
2014-2013-2012-
Key: A score above
zero indicates net optimism
74
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