Despite the looming uncertainties of Brexit, the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector remains notably optimistic, a recent YouGov survey reveals.
The RSM-commissioned Brexit Monitor Survey identifies TMT businesses as consistently resilient, with confidence growing since last year.
Optimism in the TMT Sector
The technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector is leading the charge with a robust sense of optimism amid the uncertainties of Brexit. According to the latest YouGov survey commissioned by RSM, TMT businesses show remarkable confidence in their prospects. This sector has consistently displayed positive sentiment since the survey’s inception nearly a year ago, indicating strong resilience and adaptability.
RSM’s Brexit Monitor index suggests that any reading above 100 signifies more optimism than pessimism among businesses. In the most recent quarter, sentiment about the impact of Brexit on TMT companies rose significantly, with an index score of 127 up from 114. Over a five-year outlook, the sentiment escalated from 107 to 125, showcasing an unwavering trust in future opportunities.
Furthermore, TMT firms express growing confidence in the UK government’s ability to secure a beneficial deal, with 58 per cent of respondents expressing optimism—more than double the 22 per cent who weren’t. This perspective starkly contrasts with the consumer sector, which faces more challenging prospects.
Contrasting Sentiments Across Sectors
While TMT stands confidently optimistic, the consumer sector grapples with significant challenges. The survey illustrated how consumer businesses foresee demanding conditions, reflected by an index score of just 90 in the short term. Although a slight improvement is anticipated over the longer term, it remains in negative territory with a score of 95.
David Blacher, partner and national head of TMT at RSM, commented on the sector’s adaptability, “The sector is not impervious to political and economic challenges, but these findings do reflect a clear picture of confidence within the sector’s middle market.” He emphasised that TMT’s growth in scale parallels its growth in confidence, an indicator of its dynamic nature amidst uncertainties.
TMT’s Agility as a Key Differentiator
TMT’s innate agility is highlighted as a crucial factor distinguishing it from more traditional sectors. Agility allows TMT businesses to navigate and mitigate the complexities posed by Brexit effectively. The sector’s ability to adapt swiftly to changing political and economic environments underscores its competitive edge.
While Brexit presents substantial challenges, particularly concerning the EU customs union, the TMT sector’s confidence in government negotiations remains firm. Blacher elaborated, “Despite the political uncertainty and doubt surrounding our future relationship with the EU customs union, it would seem that the sector also remains largely confident about the government’s ability to deliver a good deal.”
This sentiment also speaks to the broader capability of TMT enterprises to foresee and respond proactively to impediments, leveraging their position to maintain stability and growth.
Manufacturing Sector: A Contrasting Perspective
In contrast to TMT, the manufacturing sector’s sentiment paints a more cautionary picture. Once holding the second-most optimistic position in the short term, the manufacturing industry’s confidence has markedly declined, dropping to the penultimate position with an index score of 100.
The longer-term projections for manufacturing are similarly concerning. The manufacturing sector has slipped from the most optimistic, boasting an index of 117, to one of the least optimistic positions, albeit still in positive territory with a score of 108. This downward trend signals potential challenges in maintaining long-term sector stability.
Regional Variations in Business Confidence
Regionally, significant variations in business confidence are emerging. Companies in the Southern region of the UK have witnessed a substantial decline in long-term confidence. Once the most optimistic region with a score of 116, the South now sits as the UK’s most pronounced pessimist at 95.
These regional disparities highlight the uneven impact of Brexit across different parts of the UK. While sectors like TMT exhibit resilience, others face diminishing prospects. This complex landscape underscores the importance of tailored strategies to address regional and sectoral challenges effectively.
Regional confidence levels provide vital insights into the multifaceted impacts of Brexit, necessitating a nuanced understanding of how local factors influence business sentiment across the UK.
Conclusion of Survey Insights
As the data reveals, the TMT sector’s positive outlook amidst Brexit uncertainty stands as a beacon of resilience and adaptability. The sector’s proactive stance and strategic foresight place it in a strong position to weather future challenges.
Conversely, sectors like manufacturing and regions like the South of the UK signal a need for strategic interventions to bolster confidence. Addressing these areas with specific policies may help mitigate challenges and dispel some of the prevailing pessimism.
As Brexit looms, TMT’s confidence underscores its competitive edge, contrasting starkly with the cautious outlook of other sectors.
Strategic foresight and adaptability will likely determine which industries thrive or falter in this evolving landscape.
