European businesses have ambitious growth plans but risk missing out on new international opportunities unless they restructure their finances, according to a new report issued from HSBC and PwC. The report, “Forward Thinking Finance: The Growth Challenge”, has identified that €120bn is sitting untapped on the balance sheets of Europe’s mid-market businesses1 which could be used for growth2.
With middle market European firms looking to deliver double digit growth over the next year and CEOs now as confident about revenue growth as before the financial crisis3, the report investigates the evolving business and financial landscape in which these companies are operating. It identifies that while emerging markets offer unprecedented expansion opportunities, in order to benefit there are key financial challenges that businesses are likely to face. These include increased demand for credit; impending debt repayment dates; new regulatory controls in Europe; working capital that ‘isn’t working’ and a requirement for fresh sources of investment.
To overcome these challenges and finance for growth, the report outlines three key actions for all finance departments, namely the review of existing funding arrangements and how they can best be used to meet the business’ operational, financial and business development priorities; strengthen processes, information and support to provide better insight, control and efficiency; and regularly evaluate how effective the finance function is in delivering objectives.
John Casey, HSBC Head of Commercial Banking, Continental Europe, said: “European businesses have a renewed appetite for growth and many are looking to expand far more aggressively than in recent years. There is a real sense of urgency, not just optimism, among many of our customers as we work together to look at how they can restructure their balance sheets and make strategic moves for expansion.
Michel Cordina, Head of Commercial Banking HSBC Bank Malta plc, said: “What is clear from this report and our interactions with customers is that forward-thinking businesses are using finances in a completely different way to before the economic downturn. We are urging businesses to work in partnership with us to consider these new ways of managing debt and equity in order to bolster their financial plans and realise their growth aspirations.”
Chris Jones, UK Financial Services Leader, PwC, said: “Use of debt and credit will determine the future of European companies as their focus shifts back to growth over the coming years. More companies went bust as we emerged from the ‘90s downturn than during the recession as directors overstretched themselves to generate higher profits. Boardrooms, and finance groups in particular, must assess how to safeguard themselves from repeating past mistakes and to position themselves to compete for both finance and customers. Responding effectively will mean asking robust questions about the ability of their finance department to support the business.”
Kevin Valenzia, Territory Senior Partner, PwC Malta, said: “Whilst some local companies are moving back onto a growth footing, many still face the challenge of sustaining profitability within ever narrowing margins. The ability of their treasurers and finance teams to reduce operational costs and make the most effective use of cash resources will be increasingly crucial in this tough commercial environment. Accordingly, those organisations that are able to refinance, restructure and reorganise their business will be able to gain first mover advantage.”
Forward Thinking Finance: The Growth Challenge concludes with a series of questions to help finance departments assess if they are ready to capitalise on opportunities:
Do you have the right funding you need to support growth objectives over the next three to five years?
Are you moving early enough to address your refinancing and new credit requirements?
Are you identifying and making the most of all available funding options?
Do you have the right metrics (financial and non-financial) to provide a credible and forward-looking basis for strategic planning and performance management?
Are your strategic forecasts robust enough to be credible to boards, business teams and investors/analysts?
Are you able to bring together data from around the organisation and turn it into consistent and reliable analysis?
Are you close enough to your business to understand and help support their priorities?
What are the strategic and operational risks that could derail growth or put your business in jeopardy?
The report asserts that the next two years offers a unique window of opportunity; smart CFOs will capitalise now to refinance, restructure or reorganise to drive growth and leave competitors in their wake.