West Midlands companies again struggled to secure new business in October which led them to trim output further, according to new research.
Despite this, the NatWest PMI Business Activity Index, a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region's manufacturing and service sectors, rose from a 20-month low of 47.8 in September to 49.6, close to the 50.0 no-change mark and indicative of a marginal rate of contraction.
Where a fall was reported, survey participants mentioned reduced spending at clients amid recession fears and financial difficulties.
