The profitability of Wiltshire-based companies has improved for the third quarter in a row, according to the latest Corporate Health Check by business support group Experian.
The average return on capital among companies in the South West rose from 10.21 per cent in the 12 months to March 2003 to 11.07 per cent in the 12 months to June 2003 its highest for two years.
Peter Brooker, author of the report, said: "The improvement in corporate profitability among companies in the South West in the latest quarter was the best in the country, with the result that the region's profitability is one of only four to be ahead of the same period in the previous year. It's difficult to explain why the profitability of South West-based companies should be improving so rapidly ahead of the rest of the country.
"Whatever the reason, the economy appears to be gaining strength at a time when most of the rest of the UK continues to weaken."
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