UBS Bizjet Market Index Inches Upward
Customer interest for business jets rose in North and South America, Asia and the Middle East, according to the latest business jet index from UBS Equities. Pricing and inventories of pre-owned aircraft are still a drag on industry growth, however. The latest business jet market index from UBS Equities has taken a positive turn since flatlining for two months at the lowest level seen since 2009. This month the index came in at 31, up two points from the firm’s previous survey but still below 50, indicating a continued weak market. Results showed improved scores for customer interest, up 11 percent; 12-month outlook, up 14 percent; and willingness of dealers to increase inventory, up 19 percent. However, the index scores (which measure respondents' level of market optimism) were worse for aircraft pricing, down 8 percent, and inventory levels, which fell 11 percent as the actual inventory of aircraft for sale has increased. Regarding the latter, the survey found that inventory of young pre-owned aircraft (10 years old or less) is at its highest level in several years. Customer interest climbed in North America, rising 3 percent to an index score of 48; Latin America, +2 percent to 36; Middle East, +7 percent to 39; and Asia, +14 percent to 42. Meanwhile, customer interest in Europe declined 21 percent, to an index score of 33, “as some respondents noted customer concerns around the recentUK vote to leave the EU,” UBS aerospace analysts David Strauss and Darryl Genovesi noted. The financing score, which is not a component of the UBS index, increased 9 percent, to 54, indicating financing conditions have improved. UBS “regularly surveys” a group of U.S. domestic and international broker/dealers, manufacturers, fractional providers, financiers and other industry experts to come up with the