76th CII Northern Region Business Outlook Survey is a quarterly study conducted to gauge the sentiment in the economy. Earlier, the survey was conducted bi-annually, but from the 74th Survey onwards the study is conducted on a quarterly basis in order to get a more frequent indicator of business sentiment. The current survey gives an outlook on business sentiments for the first quarter of 2011-12 as compared to the last quarter of 2010-11.

Key findings of the Survey are:

• 62% of the respondents expect GDP growth of 8% or more, reflecting continuous optimism of growth in the economy.
• Expectations of high inflation. 99% of the respondents expect inflation to be 5% or more and 52% of the respondents expect inflation to surpass 8% mark.
• Outlook for the current three months stronger than the actual performance in the last three months.
• The expectations on various elements that build up business confidence viz- Capacity Utilization, Sales, Production, Employment and Pretax profit are all positive.
• Some concern on Input Costs (raw materials, electricity & fuel and wages & salaries), and Cost & availability of Credit.
• Positive sentiment on the export front. Optimism on volume and new orders.
• Top three concern areas are high interest rates, high raw material cost and infrastructural & institutional shortages.