Insolvency rate among medium-sized firms reaches lowest point since September 2007

June 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Experian’s latest analysis also reveals an 18.0 per cent fall in the total number of business insolvencies during May compared to April, bringing the rate of insolvencies down to 0.08 per cent from 0.10 per cent in April.

It also marks an improvement compared to May 2009 when the rate was 0.10 per cent.

Last month’s performance was due to a vast month-on-month and year-on-year improvement among medium sized businesses with 51 to 100 employees.

These businesses, which have suffered some of the highest levels of insolvencies in the last two years, saw the rate of insolvencies fall from 0.24 per cent in April 2010 and 0.23 per cent in May 2009, to 0.13 per cent in May 2010 – the lowest point since September 2007.

The average financial strength score of all UK businesses was up year-on-year, from 79.98 during May 2009 to 80.70 in May 2010, but it was down slightly on the 80.76 recorded in April 2010. Although a small decline, this was the third consecutive month-on-month decline in average financial strength score of all UK businesses.

Rolf Hickmann, Managing Director of pH, an Experian company, said: “The fall in the number of insolvencies is a good sign and shows that businesses are distinctly aware of the current environment and are taking vital steps to protect themselves from risks.

“Apart from the very largest businesses, companies of all sizes saw marked improvements in insolvency rates. However, the greatest improvement came from the medium-sized businesses, which, as we have commented in previous months, have been the hardest hit by the recession.

“However, the small deterioration in the overall financial strength score for UK businesses during May highlights the need for businesses to ensure they continue to exercise caution with regards to their risk exposure and those they choose to deal with.”

Other key highlights include:
The rate of insolvencies among businesses in the North East saw the biggest fall - down to 0.08 per cent from 0.13 per cent in April 2010 and from 0.15 per cent in May 2009.

All regions saw their financial strength score improve from May 2010 with Yorkshire seeing the biggest improvement (from 79.24 to 80.81).

However, looking at the April to May comparison, Scotland was the only region to see its financial strength score increase (from 80.57 to 80.63).

By far the biggest increase in insolvencies came from businesses with 501 or more employees - from 0.06 per cent in May 2009 and 0.12 per cent in April to 0.16 per cent in May 2010.

In terms of financial strength, although micro businesses (with 1 to 2 employees) saw the biggest year-on-year improvement (from 80.39 in may 2009 to 81.32), more recent activity reveals a small month-on-month deterioration in their score compared to April (81.95) – the biggest in comparison to other businesses.

Of the five biggest industries in the UK (business services, building/construction, property, IT and non-food retailing), building/construction saw the biggest April to May improvement (0.18 per cent to 0.14 per cent).

The property sector saw the biggest month-on-month deterioration in its score (from 82.73 in April to 82.46 in May 2010) and the second biggest year-on-year decline (from 84.05 in May 2009).

http://www.griffinandking.co.uk