Business Health Statistics

Over 140,000 Companies Show Real Signs of Financial Distress in Q4 2009

Red Flag Alert is a monitor of early warning signs of company distress by Begbies Traynor, the UK’s leading business rescue, recovery and restructuring specialist. The latest report focussing on Q4 2009 released today contains the following headlines:

Launch of Red Flag Alert; The First Comprehensive Corporate ‘Health Rating’ System Widely Available

The commercial launch of the Red Flag Alert system is set to bring new levels of financial transparency and in‐depth analysis to the general market for the first time. Red Flag Alert, which contains more than 6 million constantly updated records on businesses throughout the country, will revolutionise the means by which corporate and financial distress is measured.

Begbies Traynor Says the Worst for Insolvencies is Yet to Come as 134,000 UK Companies Show Material Signs of Financial Distress in Q3 2009

Red Flag Alert is a monitor of early warning signs of company distress by Begbies Traynor, the UK’s leading business rescue, recovery and restructuring specialist. The latest report focussing on Q3 2009 released today contains the following headlines:

Begbies Traynor Red Flag Alert Statistics signal Credit Crunch is biting hard

Credit Crunch resulting in four times as many companies experiencing “Critical Problems”

The UK Recession Continues Unabated According to Red Flag Alert

Some good news as quarter on quarter change in adverse signals is stabilising in some sectors

Struggling Retail sector faces quarterly rent payment crunch day

Begbies Traynors Red Flag Alert reveals September worst month yet for UK businesses

More than twice as many companies experiencing ‘critical problems’ since the start of 2008 UK business feeling effects of ongoing economic turmoil IT, manufacturing, rental services and property services sectors showing highest increases .

Begbies Traynor Red Flag Alert Statistics Signal Tough Times Ahead

The survey monitors the numbers of companies experiencing difficulties in two categories: “Significant Problems” * and “Critical Problems” **. Of those companies experiencing the more serious “Critical Problems”, Red Flag’s research shows that approximately 15% will enter into a formal insolvency procedure within 12 months. www.redflagalert.com

Conditions have continued to worsen during the last three months in the Retail sector

High Levels Of Financial Stress Comes As No Surprise In A Society Living On Credit

Research from credit reference agency Experian indicates that around three out of 10 people in Glasgow and Manchester experience high levels of financial stress. Other high stress locations include Nottingham, Middlesbrough, Hull and Liverpool.