Analysis by EY-Parthenon shows that UK-listed companies issued eighty-four profit warnings in Q3 2024, an 11% increase compared to the same quarter in 2023 and the highest quarterly total for two years. According to EY-Parthenon, unusually, the latest rise in warnings wasn’t triggered by a sudden economic downturn, a one-off event, or a sudden increase in costs or supply chain disruption. Instead, it reflects a pause in corporate spending, with a record 38% of profit warnings attributed to order or contract delays and cancellations. The proportion of those that have issued a warning over the last year now stands at 19.2% – the highest percentage since the pandemic and, before that, since 2001. To read EY’s report, go to https://www.ey.com/en_uk/services/strategy-transactions/profit-warnings.