UK SMEs are gearing up for a new future of international post-Brexit trade with various coping mechanisms including trading more outside Europe and looking to explore new markets.

Executive Summary- Q1 2018

  • SMEs do more internationally in 2018

The start of 2018 saw a slight uptick in the value of international trades made by UK SMEs, with an average monthly trade value of £48,000. This is the second highest figure on record and 20% higher compared to the same period last year.

  • More UK SMEs positive about revenue growth

Following three consecutive quarters of decline, there was a slight increase in the amount of decision makers at UK SMEs expecting their revenues to grow over the next quarter. Two thirds of businesses expected to see some form of revenue growth, with one in five expecting growth of 10% or more

  • Hedging back in favour with UK SMEs

In another reversal of 2017 trends, UK SMEs have returned to hedging protection across most major currencies. This is the biggest indication that SMEs are planning for increased international trade over the next quarter as they try to manage their currency exposure.

The only declines in hedge contracts booked were with the Australian Dollar and the Swiss Franc, with the Australian Dollar seeing its second consecutive decline in hedges booked.

 

SMEs and trade: Where are we now?

Value of SME trade rises to highest since 2016

Despite the number of SMEs trading internationally remaining stagnant since the start of 2017, the average value of trades has steadily increased to £47,750 – the second highest value on record.

The percentage of SMEs making an international transaction in an average month stayed steady at 26% for the second month running. This represents a decline of 2% from the same period in 2017 and 10% when compared to 2016.

Small businesses are also making more international trades – an average of 13 trades a month – another slight increase from 12 in the last quarter.

Those SMEs who already trade internationally are trading more and making higher value transactions, suggesting a change in sentiment towards international business.

UK SME trading partners: Small businesses continue to export

The number of SMEs exporting stayed the same over the last two quarters (31%), but there has been a slight pickup in number of SMEs importing goods from 24% in Q4 2017 to 26% in Q1 2018. This may be down to the improvement in GBP making imports more cost effective compared to last year.

UK SMEs continue to choose the US, Western and Central Europe as their main trading partners, with one in five SMEs exporting to Western Europe and one in six to the US.

 

Payment flows: Far East becomes key trading partner as China enters top three

WorldFirst’s own client data shows the US remains the UK’s top trading partner with 12% of all international payments made there. Germany comes second and China takes third place.

France drops down by four points showing less dependence on the EU for international trade as SMEs increasingly look to the US and Far East for trade.

Turkey and Poland continue to cement their status as emerging hotspots for trading, with both countries experiencing over a 100% increase in payment flows this quarter having been in the top ten gainers for the past three quarters.

Eastern Europe in general continues to offer opportunities for trade with half of the top ten gainers in the table hailing from the Eastern bloc.

In another sign of the pick-up in trading, only seven regions experienced a decline in payments from UK SMEs[1]. Most of these were traditional UK trading partners including Malta, France and Hong Kong, indicating that small businesses are looking to new, ambitious markets for international growth.

[1] *Only includes destinations where over 100 payments were made

Future trade: What is next for UK SMEs?

Small businesses optimistic

For the first time in a year, there was a rise in senior decision makers at UK SMEs expecting to grow their business over the next quarter. Two thirds of businesses expect to experience some revenue growth in the coming months, while over half (51%) expect growth of over 5% specifically.

Only 34% of decision makers do not expect any growth, a 1% decline from the last quarter and a 4% rise from the same period last year.

In a similar vein, decision makers at UK SMEs are more optimistic about international trade in 2018 with 29% expecting to see some revenue growth from overseas activity – a rise from 26% in Q4 2017. Notably:

  • One in five decision makers are expecting international revenue growth of more than 5%
  • Fewer SMEs are expecting no growth or a decline, down from 56% in Q4 2017 to 47% in Q1 2018

Exports to Europe, Africa and Middle East set to increase

With more SMEs expecting to grow internationally over the next quarter, Europe, Africa and the Middle East are the key regions being considered for export opportunities.

  • One in four (23%) SMEs expect to export to a new region in the next quarter
  • 15% are looking to enter Western Europe as a new market in coming months
  • 6% are considering exporting to Africa and the Middle East over the next quarter
  • Only 2% are considering adding the USA to their market base for the first time

SMEs show appetite to export

When asked what would make SMEs increase their exporting activity, 37% revealed a willingness to export more over the next year but many wanted external help to do so. 17% of businesses revealed they would export more if they received additional support from the UK government, while 18% wanted help identifying international business partners.

Currency and protection| What’s shaping SME behaviour?

SMEs are feeling confident about international trade and with sterling making significant improvements in Q1, more SMEs have been willing to make foreign transactions and book currency deals over the last quarter.

Positive market data announcements over the last quarter have consistently been followed by spikes in currency deals by SMEs. Examples include the following:

  • On January 24th, following the release of positive employment data for the previous quarter, the number of currency deals booked by SMEs jumped by 40%
  • In the wake of positive PMI data on February 1st the number of deals booked increased by 19%

Even following comments by the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Dave Ramsden, on the likelihood of an interest rate rise caused by accelerated wage growth, deals booked by SMEs jumped by 48%

SMEs plan for future currency trading

In another sign that SMEs are preparing to make more foreign transactions over the next few months, hedging contracts amongst six of the eight most traded currencies increased in Q1 2018. Contracts booked to hedge against the Japanese Yen and Canadian Dollar grew significantly, experiencing an increase of 250% and 100% respectively.

The only declines were seen against the Australian Dollar and Swiss Franc, both of which experienced a volatile Q1.

The SME sentiment tracker: What’s affecting global trade?

SMEs less worried about Brexit

Whilst SMEs sentiment towards Brexit remains divided, fewer small businesses than ever are worried about the impact of leaving the EU. Though the balance still tips in the favour of those who are concerned (45% compared to 41%), the trend shows that more and more are starting to look beyond Brexit.

Nonetheless, there is significant divergence across industries, with 63% of decision makers in the manufacturing sector worried about the impact of Brexit. This may be down to the sector feeling the effect of currency fluctuations more than others given the nature of these businesses.

Despite a lot of the talk around the impact of the UK leaving the EU being focussed on the financial sector, only 26% of decision makers in financial services businesses were worried about it, whilst over half disagreed with the statement entirely.

Positivity about trading conditions is also reflected in attitudes towards currency volatility. Only 28% of decision makers were worried about currency volatility and the impact it could have on their business. This is down from 37% in the previous quarter, showing currency volatility is having less of an impact than previously experienced.

The SME sentiment tracker

A fall in consumer spending continues to be the biggest worry for most businesses with 22% of decision makers worried about the impact it could have on their business. Fewer SMEs are now worried about the potential for a rise in inflation or currency volatility – the biggest worries for these businesses in 2017.

Overall, there were declines across most other issues demonstrating further confidence from UK SMEs.

 

WorldFirst SME Global Trade Barometer

Research Methodology

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1071 senior decision makers in small/ medium British businesses. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd-11th April 2018.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all British business sizes.

WorldFirst data on client contracts was collated between 1st January 2018 and 31st March 2018 and refers to UK corporate desk clients only.

Notes

  • A forward contract is a contract to exchange a specific amount of one currency for another on a future date, at a predetermined rate. A deposit is normally required for forward contracts.
  • To hedge or hedging is to protect against future currency movements
  • In this report, ‘FX’, ‘foreign exchange’ and ‘foreign currency transfers’ refer to the buying/ selling of international money (including the payment of international money).

About WorldFirst

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