Warc GMI moves up again, but Euro budgets still squeezed

The headline GMI hit 56.2, pushing ever closer to an index score of 60 – which indicates rapid growth in the industry. A score of 50 indicates no change month-on-month.

Each of the three main regions measured by Warc – Asia Pacific, the Americas and Europe – saw rising index scores, although Europe was the least optimistic of the bunch. This was equally true for measures of trading conditions and staffing levels – two of the three main components that make up the headline GMI score.

The third component, maketing budgets, remained below the 50-point mark in Europe, suggesting continuing cuts in budgets. However – as with all others – that particular index score is moving in a positive direction: up 2.6 points to 48.8 in February. Asia Pacific budgets scored 50.3 and those in the Americas scored 55.5.

Warc’s data and journals editor Suzy Young said: “The continued upward trajectory in headline GMI is encouraging. The outlook for global marketing budgets has improved since the start of the year.”