SMEs optimistic for H2, but less than past years

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are cautiously optimistic about the third and fourth quarters of 2019 - though gloomier than they have been about any other second half in recent years, according to a quarterly survey.

The SBF-Experian SME Index rose marginally to 50.8 in the latest quarter, from 50.4 the quarter before. A reading above 50 indicates that companies expect business to improve in the next six months, while a reading below 50 indicates that they expect lower business activity.