This wave of the QCA Small and Mid-cap Sentiment Index highlights growing optimism in the public markets as a source for raising capital, with public equity the preferred means for companies do so over the next 12 months.
Raising public equity is also considered easier among companies compared to a year ago, and is now favoured over bank finance for the first time since the start of 2023.
Of concern is a twofold increase from last year in respondents stating their preference for private equity when raising capital over the coming 12 months.
More broadly, optimism in the UK economy has dropped compared to 12 months ago, while companies’ expectations for workforce expansion have contracted significantly compared to the start of 2024.
Read more in the full QCA Small and Mid-cap Sentiment Index.
