No clear picture from business trends survey

PROFITABILITY has been hit, costs are going up, but Guernsey businesses are still prepared to employ staff.

These are among the key findings of the annual Young Business Group's business trends survey, published today.

A total of 79 businesses took part in the survey – about the same as in previous years.

Four in 10 said that they experienced a more profitable year in 2012 than in 2011, with more than a quarter seeing the bottom line grow by more than 5%.

But the figure was down from 47% in 2011, while those who lost money year-on-year grew from 35% to 43%.

I think "flatlining" best describes the performance of local businesses all round,' said Chamber of Commerce president Rupert Dorey, pictured.