The monthly index is calculated by the public organization “Opora Rossii”, “Promsvyazbank” and the agency Magram Market Research, analyzing four key indicators: sales, investments, personnel and availability of financing.
According to Kommersant, which got acquainted According to analytical documents, in August the index fell to 54.7 points (in July it was 55.8, in June – 57.6, in May – 58.1).
The surveyed representatives of small and medium-sized businesses (at least 1.8 thousand respondents from different regions of the country) indicated a decline in sales and pessimistic sentiments due to the “tight monetary policy of the Central Bank.”
Against the backdrop of rising interest rates and a reduction in government support programs, businessmen are in no hurry to use borrowed funds to develop their businesses (SME demand for financing through loans has been declining for the third month in a row).
In the last summer month, slightly more than a third of companies (35%) showed “credit interest”. Almost another third of respondents – 28% – are not ready to take loans, and this is a record high figure for the entire observation period.
Only 20% of companies reported revenue growth, 31% reported a decline in sales, while 31% of entrepreneurs hope for an improvement in the situation (in particular, for sales growth) (in July, there were 2 percentage points more of them). The number of those expecting an even greater decline in sales (22%) is growing faster (+5 percentage points) than the share of those hoping is decreasing.
There is also a problem with personnel: all companies note a “hunger” in the personnel market, while the salary expectations of job seekers are growing, which leads to an increase in the costs of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Falling sales, lack of own funds, lack of personnel, and reduced availability of credit are the key reasons why SME representatives no longer demonstrate a positive attitude, preferring to wait and not invest in business.
In August, only 20% of respondents increased investments, and this is the lowest since November 2023; another 11% reduced investments, and 7% plan to do so (a record high since 2023). Against the general background, a minimum of entrepreneurs are thinking about expanding their business (since December 2023) – only 24%.
Cover photo: Unsplash
Source: rb.ru
