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23 August 2013 | Will Green
The proportion of UK firms expecting to increase their capital expenditure has doubled in the space of six months, according to a survey.
A poll by Edison Investment Research (EIR) of 200 medium-sized companies shows 56 per cent prediected more capital expenditure over the next year, compared to 23 per cent in January.
Optimism has also increased, with 41 per cent expecting growth in the UK over the coming 12 months, against 37 per cent at the beginning of the year.
Similarly, 69 per cent feel positive about the coming year, up 4 per cent on January.
Respondents felt most positive about growth in Asia, while confidence in the Eurozone has dropped, with 17 per cent expecting growth there, down on 26 per cent six months ago.
For the US positivity has increased, with 44 per cent predicting growth compared to 30 per cent a year ago.
Neil Shah, director of research at EIR, said: “The proportion of people thinking things are improving is increasing.
“Where they expect growth, Asia remains the place where people expect most of the growth to happen.”