Dun & Bradstreet bullish on India Inc

The D&B business optimism index measures the pulse of the business community and serves as a reliable benchmark for investors globally since 1947, the release said.

The results of the survey for the quarter April-June, 2000 have reinforced the buoyant economic sentiment witnessed in the previous two quarters, the release said. The survey revealed that 64 per cent of the respondents expect an increase in sales volume resulting in a marginal two point increase in the optimism index over the previous quarter which now stands at 53 per cent.

Fifty per cent of the respondents expected an increase in profits while 18 per cent anticipated a decline. This resulted in the optimism index of 32 per cent remaining at the same level as in the previous quarter.

On selling prices, 23 per cent of the respondents expected an increase in selling prices while a large majority comprising 62 per cent anticipate no change. The resultant optimism index stood at 10 per cent recording a seven point increase over its previous quarter, the highest level achieved by this index in the last quarter.

Expectations pertaining to the new orders were on an optimistic note with 64 per cent of the respondents expecting an increase and only 10 per cent anticipating a decline. The optimism index for new orders rose by three point over its previous quarter to be at 54 per cent.

On inventory levels, 73 per cent of the respondents do not expect a change in their inventory levels while 14 per cent expect a change by way of increase and one percent expect a decline. This resulted in a two point decline in the optimism index over its previous quarter and the index now stands at three per cent.

Seventy-five per cent of the respondents do not foresee a change in the total number of employees while 17 per cent anticipate an increase in employees. Seven per cent expect a decline. The resultant optimism index stood at 10 per cent registering a marginal two point increase over its previous quarter.

D&B business optimism index was being circulated to a select group of CEOs for over a year and has now been made available to the public as a valuable decision tool, the release said.