Confidence rises after US tariffs rowed back

Confidence is growing among North East companies, according to Natwest's Growth Tracker

- GRAEME WHITFIELD Journal editor [e-mail]

CONFIDENCE is growing among North East companies despite a mixed economic picture, a business survey suggests.

The Natwest North East Growth Tracker Business Activity Index, which measures the month-on-month change in the region's manufacturing and service sectors, has returned a score of 48.8 in May.

That was an improvement on the previous month but below the no-change mark and indicates a small monthly contraction in the region's business activity.

Trade agreements and the rowing back of US tariffs contributed to a rise in business confidence, the survey found, while there was also an easing of inflationary pressures.