Wells Fargo 2015 International Business Indicator: Western Europe a Top International Market for U.S. Companies

U.S. international outlook softens, but 2015 International Business Indicator shows U.S. companies optimistic about long-term international growth – especially in locations including Western Europe

2015 Wells Fargo International Business Indicator Score (Graphic: Business Wire)

LONDON--()--Many U.S. companies, especially larger businesses, look to Western Europe when expanding internationally, according to the latest Wells Fargo International Business Indicator. Larger companies – those with $500 million or more in annual revenue – view Western Europe as one of the most important markets, according to 30 percent of survey respondents. When looking at all U.S. companies with international exposure and revenue of at least $50 million, Western Europe is the fourth most important, according to 19 percent of survey respondents, following China and Canada (both 23 percent) and Mexico (20 percent).

Released today by the International Group of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), the Wells Fargo International Business Indicator tracks the strength and direction of the international outlook of U.S. companies, surveying more than 250 U.S. companies with annual revenue of $50 million or more that conduct at least some international business

“Many survey respondents cited improving economic conditions and a strong workforce when placing Western Europe at the top of their list,” said Jim Johnston, based in London and head of Wells Fargo’s European operations. “As U.S. companies expand internationally, they clearly view Western Europe as a key partner for long-term growth. We continue to see more U.S. companies wanting to do business throughout the region and expect that trend to continue in the coming year.”

Additional Indicator Findings

Expectations cool for short-term international activity

Thirty-nine percent of the U.S. companies surveyed expect to see an increase in profits from their international business in 2015, down from 51 percent in 2014. Similarly, only 30 percent expect to see exports increase in 2015, compared to 50 percent in 2014. However, despite dampened short-term expectations, a majority of companies remain bullish on future international business, with 80 percent agreeing that U.S. companies should consider expanding internationally for long-term growth.

Continuing in positive territory for the second consecutive year, the overall 2015 Wells Fargo Business Indictor score fell five points from 68 in 2014 to 63 in 2015, reflecting the dampened short-term outlook. Only 37 percent of U.S. companies participating in the Indicator survey said they see the global business climate improving this year. As a result, only 54 percent of companies surveyed said they plan to increase activity in 2015, a decline from 69 percent in 2014.

U.S. companies see long-term value in international expansion

U.S. companies remain confident about the future of the global marketplace. A majority of survey respondents (60 percent) expect to increase international business development planning in 2015. Additionally, nearly half (49 percent) believe business outside the U.S. will be increasingly important to their overall financial success in the coming year.

“The latest Indicator results reflect what we’re seeing in the marketplace and hearing from our customers,” said Sanjiv Sanghvi, head of Wells Fargo Global Banking. “Continued concern about global economic conditions, slowing growth in China, the value of the U.S. dollar and its effect on exports, are impacting short-term international business activity. However, while the near-term outlook has softened, U.S. companies value international markets for business development and we expect to continue to see them investing in the global marketplace as they plan for long-term growth.”

The International Business Indicator score represents the average of responses for two questions regarding the level of importance and activity that U.S. companies expect from their international business in the next 12 months. The Indicator score ranges from zero to 100, where 100 indicates an absolute positive outlook, 50 indicates a neutral outlook, and zero indicates an absolute negative outlook.

For more information on the Wells Fargo Indicator, including a complete report of the findings and a video overview with Sanjiv Sanghvi, visit https://www.wellsfargo.com/indicator.

About the Wells Fargo International Business Indicator

On behalf of Wells Fargo, global research firm GfK conducted 253 telephone interviews between December 12, 2014 and February 6, 2015 with executives at U.S. companies with $50 million or more in annual revenue that conduct business internationally. Additionally, participants had to be associate vice president/director level or above, with either direct decision-making or some influence over the company’s international business plans and/or strategies. The margin of error on the total is +/-7.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

About Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo operates from 36 countries, including branches in the Cayman Islands, Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Toronto. The company provides middle market businesses, corporations, financial institutions, and multilateral organizations with a wide range of international solutions.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.7 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,700 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s 2014 rankings of America’s largest corporations.

About GfK

GfK is one of the world’s largest research companies, with more than 13,000 experts working to discover new insights into the way people live, think and shop, in over 100 markets, every day. GfK is constantly innovating and using the latest technologies and the smartest methodologies to give its clients the clearest understanding of the most important people in the world: their customers. In 2014, GfK’s sales amounted to €1.45 billion. To find out more, visit www.gfk.com.

Contacts

Wells Fargo & Company
Kathryn Ellis, 1-415-222-3767
kathryn.d.ellis@wellsfargo.com
@KatieEllisWF

Contacts

Wells Fargo & Company
Kathryn Ellis, 1-415-222-3767
kathryn.d.ellis@wellsfargo.com
@KatieEllisWF