Key insights from our latest report:

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‍1. Businesses remain highly concerned about their operating environment for the rest of 2026 amid rising costs, labour shortages in some areas, supply chain issues, and growing customer hesitancy to spend. Nonetheless, a net 21% still expect their revenue to improve over the coming year.

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2. In the residential construction sector, the relative affordability of existing properties compared with the cost of new construction is causing concern for many in the construction industry. The recent improvement in activity is increasingly seen as at risk of reversing.

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3. Some firms report price rises reflecting cost increases that occurred before the start of the Iran War. Additional pricing pressures are expected as many input costs have risen since February 28.