Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
UK profit warnings reach highest level since late 2024
Sixty-five UK-listed companies warned about profits in the three months to the end of September.
That was up from 59 in the previous quarter and the highest number since late 2024, when 71 firms issued warnings.
A profit warning means a company has told investors that its expected profits are under pressure.
Policy changes and geopolitical uncertainty were linked to 54% of the warnings, while 38% specifically cited the conflict in the Middle East.
Rising costs were cited in 35%, amid inflationary pressures and higher business expenses.
The figures come less than two weeks before the autumn Budget, as businesses call on the Government to avoid tax increases.
Companies say policy uncertainty makes planning and investment harder, but no Budget decision is given.
UK-listed companies issued 65 profit warnings in the three months to the end of September, the highest quarterly total since the final quarter of 2024.
The total rose from 59 warnings in the previous quarter.
EY said policy change and geopolitical uncertainty were linked to 54% of warnings.
Rising costs were cited as a leading factor in 35% of warnings, while 38% referenced the conflict in the Middle East.
The figures were reported less than two weeks before the autumn Budget, amid calls for the Government to avoid business tax increases.
- Who
- UK-listed companies issued the warnings.
- What
- They issued 65 profit warnings, the highest quarterly total since the final quarter of 2024.
- When
- In the three months to the end of September.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Policy change and geopolitical uncertainty were linked to 54% of warnings. Rising costs were cited as a leading factor in 35%.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
UK-listed companies issued 71 profit warnings.
UK-listed companies issued 59 profit warnings.
UK-listed companies issued 65 profit warnings.
The latest figures were reported amid calls for the Government to avoid business tax increases.
- Latest quarter
- 65 profit warnings
- Previous quarter
- 59 profit warnings
- Final quarter of 2024
- 71 profit warnings
- Policy change and geopolitical uncertainty
- Linked to 54% of warnings
- Conflict in the Middle East
- Referenced in 38% of warnings
- Rising costs
- Cited as a leading factor in 35% of warnings
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What people are saying
This is not a conventional economic cycle.
Businesses have shown considerable resilience, but the pace of policy change is making forecasting, investment and capital allocation much harder.