Reply #77: Business climate better for top 300 firms - study

[xchrom]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/business-climate-better-for-top-300-firms-study/story-e6frf7ko-1226056820541

AUSTRALIA'S top 300 listed companies recorded stronger business conditions in the March quarter and also expect to perform better than smaller companies in 2012, a bank survey has revealed.

National Australia Bank's (NAB) inaugural ASX 300 business confidence survey found business conditions for large corporates are stronger than for conditions across the broader economy.

Across 90 companies which responded to the survey, rising labour costs are a concern and sales margins have declined with high levels of discounting among companies aiming for volume-driven profits, NAB said.

"In terms of expectations, ASX 300 companies also expect to perform better than smaller peers ... for Q1 2012," the bank said.