Hong Kong Government Census and Statistics Department released the latest data on the operating conditions of local small and medium-sized enterprises on the 12th of May. In May, the current business revenue trend index of local small and medium-sized enterprises decreased by 0.8 points compared to the previous month, recording 43.0 points. The outlook revenue index increased by 0.5 points, reaching 46.8, while the current employment trend index rose by 0.2 points to 49.5.
Among the 7 selected industries, 3 industries recorded an increase in the current business revenue trend index on a monthly basis, while 4 industries saw a decrease.
In terms of the ranking of revenue changes, the sectors are as follows (with revenue outlook and current employment trend index variations in parentheses):
– Retail industry increased by 2.9 points to 42.9 (up by 2.3 points, up by 0.9 points).
– Logistics industry rose by 1.8 points to 43.5 (up by 3.4 points, up by 1.7 points).
– Food and beverage industry increased by 0.8 points to 39.1 (up by 2.4 points, unchanged).
– Wholesale industry decreased by 1.2 points to 38.1 (down by 3.5 points, down by 1.2 points).
– Import and export trade industry declined by 1.7 points to 44.2 (down by 1.0 point, down by 0.2 points).
– Commercial services industry fell by 3.2 points to 45.2 (up by 0.8 points, up by 0.8 points).
– Real estate industry retreated by 5.5 points to 40.6 (up by 3.0 points, down by 0.6 points).
The Census and Statistics Department, during the interviews, requested respondents to exclude seasonal factors when providing opinions. The “current trend index” reflects the current business situation compared to the previous month, while the “outlook trend index” reflects expectations for the business situation in the coming month compared to the present. An index above 50 indicates a generally favorable business situation, while below 50 indicates the opposite.
However, these values do not reflect the magnitude of changes, as this statistical survey does not collect data on the extent of the changes. Small and medium-sized enterprises in the covered industries refer to institutions with fewer than 50 employees.
Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises reported that the percentage of credit demand currently stands at 4.8%, declining by 0.2 percentage points monthly. Among these, the percentage believing it is easy to obtain a loan is 0.3%, dropping by 0.2 percentage points monthly; those considering it still possible are at 1.0%, rising by 0.2 percentage points monthly; those expressing tightness in credit availability are at 0.6%, decreasing by 0.3 percentage points monthly; and the percentage indicating no application for credit is recorded at 3.0%, increasing by 0.1 percentage points monthly.