October 22, 20246 Minutes

Dun & Bradstreet’s Q4 2024 Global Business Optimism Insights Report shows a 7% rise in business optimism, driven by easing inflation and better borrowing conditions. Businesses express confidence in orders and investment, with medium-sized firms leading the way.

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October 22, 20246 Minutes

Dun & Bradstreet’s Q4 2024 Global Business Optimism Insights Report shows a 7% rise in business optimism, driven by easing inflation and better borrowing conditions. Businesses express confidence in orders and investment, with medium-sized firms leading the way.

Read More
PR Cover GBOI scaled uai - D&B SAME

Dun & Bradstreet has released Global Business Optimism Insights Report for Q4 2024. The report revealed a 7% increase in business optimism on a quarter-over-quarter basis, driven by gradual easing of inflation rates and favorable borrowing conditions.

Dun & Bradstreet’s Global Business Optimism Insights (GBOI) is a quarterly report that aims to gauge the optimism levels of businesses globally and provides a unique and comprehensive view into the thinking behind the growth, operational, and investment expectations of business leaders.

The GBOI is an amalgamation of five indices: Global Business Optimism Index, Global Business Supply Chain Continuity Index, Global Business Financial Confidence Index, Global Business Investment Confidence Index, and Global Business ESG Index. The first four indices capture business expectations for the coming quarter, while the ESG index captures the sentiments on key ESG attributes in the current quarter.

According to the report, there is increasingly more optimism in the global business environment, driven by favorable borrowing conditions and improving market dynamics. 

Businesses in both advanced and emerging markets are expressing increased optimism in domestic and export orders, capital expenditures, and financial risk management. However, businesses are simultaneously navigating heightened regulatory demands, especially in compliance, supply chain diversification, and ESG standards. 

Rising participation in sustainability initiatives is shaping a more proactive approach to corporate governance and long-term planning. This combination of easing financial pressures, robust regulatory frameworks, and enhanced sustainability efforts is fostering growth and stability in global markets.

The report was prepared after conducting a survey of business leaders in their operating markets. The survey was conducted on a stratified random sample of around 10,000 respondents, from varying sector and size segments.

An index reading above 100 indicates an improvement in optimism relative to the base year, while an index reading below 100 signifies a deterioration. The composite index at size and sector level is calculated using factor-weighted averages of the parameter-level indices.

Key Findings

  • The Global Business Optimism Index has increased 7.3% for Q4 2024, showcasing improved expectations in anticipation of a favorable monetary policy environment globally.
  • Over 75% of businesses, especially smaller businesses, express strong confidence in sales, as well as domestic and export orders, ahead of the holiday season, led by the hospitality and food manufacturing sectors.
  • Medium-sized businesses drove the improvement in optimism for Q4 2024 (10.2%), showcasing their agility and resilience in adapting to economic conditions. Large businesses saw a 7.5% increase, while optimism among small businesses rose 4.4%.
  • Optimism increased for both manufacturing and services businesses, with gains of 6.1% and 8.1% respectively, on average. Electricals, electronics, and hardware manufacturing businesses saw their optimism increase 10.2%, while in the services space, real estate activities (12.5%) and utilities (10.4%) saw the highest jumps in optimism levels

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To access the Global Business Optimism Insights Report Q4 2024, click here