BOSSES in the North West are less confident about increasing orders in the coming months.
Almost two thirds expect new order levels to rise over the coming quarter but the figure is down from threequarters, according to the latest survey from Dun & Bradstreet.
Most firms expect to increase profits, exports and to take on more staff in the third quarter of the year.
The poll of directors and finance chiefs found more than half expected interest rates to rise above seven per cent before the year end.
"We are concerned that the economic recovery may stall as a result of a continuing decline in exports coupled with the impact on the domestic market of higher interest rates," said Philip Mellor, senior analyst for D&B.
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