The UK's leading freight forwarding companies are experiencing vastly different fortunes. 

A study by industry analysts Plimsoll Publishing found 546 of the top 1,000 businesses are enjoying improving cash reserves. Meanwhile, the remaining 454 have reported a drop in income.

Of those performing well, 29 firms stated they now hold more than £5 million in available finances. They are currently facing a strategic dilemma on how best to spend this money in order to achieve the maximum benefit to the business.

At the other end of the scale, 86 companies admitted they are running dangerously low in terms of cash reserves. The report warned they would have to do more to increase profits and return to overall financial health.

David Pattison, senior analyst at Plimsoll Publishing, commented: "Many of the 1,000 companies researched have improved their liquidity and increased their cash levels, which is a surprise given that margins are still under severe competitive pressure."

He added those businesses with an abundance of available money should think hard about what to do with it and said he was looking forward to seeing what they had decided over the coming months.