Dun & Bradstreet's business optimism index for India for fourth quarter 2004 (October- December 2004) reveals that business confidence has declined by 23 per cent to 107.8 from 140.1 in the previous quarter.
The survey released in Mumbai on Monday indicates that five out of the six optimism indices- volume of sales, net profits, selling prices, inventory levels and employees - declined compared to the previous quarter. However, the optimisum index for new orders showed a slight improvement.
"The decline stems from uncertainty about the economic situation, concerns over high oil prices and spiralling inflation", according to a media release.
The optimism index for volume of sales was lower at 69 per cent compared 73 per cent in the previous quarter, for net profits it stands at 52 per cent compared with 69 per cent, selling prices stands at 13 per cent which is a decline of 5 percentage points compared with the previous quarter and for inventory it stands at 14 per cent compared with 20 per cent for the previous year.
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