Expectations for business performance remain well below pre-pandemic levels
Obstacles remain, but companies were less worried in early 2023
Businesses and consumers expect inflation to remain elevated in the short term and ease within five years
Investors may experience more pain, at least in the first half
Businesses expect to raise prices more slowly and for wage increases to soften
Labour and cost challenges ebbed slightly in August
The lending agency now forecasts the global economy will expand 4.4% in 2022
Business owners' investment plans and sales expectations exceed pre-pandemic levels, the research says
The wealth management business earned $558 million, up from $546 million a year earlier
The bank reported a profit of $776 million, plus growth in AUA and AUM