Page 18 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
P. 18
C. TODAY
More Small Business
Owners See Improving
Economy
By U.S. Chamber of Commerce Inflation Remains Top Concern
The MetLife and U.S. Chamber of However, small businesses do have a list of
Commerce Small Business Index, has hit its concerns and front and center among them is
highest score since the start of the COVID-19 inflation. In fact, this is the seventh consecutive
pandemic in 2020 as more small business owners quarter where inflation tops the list of challenges
see an improving economy. for small business owners.
The Q3 2023 Index score jumped this quarter Over half (52%) of small businesses say inflation is
thanks to a nine-percentage point increase in the their biggest challenge, a near-record high which
share of small businesses saying that the U.S. has been consistent over the last year. Other
economy is in good health (33%). Small businesses concerns don’t come close to registering the same
also feel better about their own business health level of concern as inflation. Concerns about
and cash flow: Two in three (66%) report that their supply chain issues, revenue, and rising interest
business is in good health and roughly seven in ten rates continue to stay in a second tier of concerns
(72%) say they are comfortable with their cash flow. this quarter—all measuring more than twenty
percentage points lower than inflation.
On both measures, there has been a nearly-10
point increase from last quarter.
15 AAMMCCHHAAMMSOSOUTUHTHCHCINHAINA
More Small Business
Owners See Improving
Economy
By U.S. Chamber of Commerce Inflation Remains Top Concern
The MetLife and U.S. Chamber of However, small businesses do have a list of
Commerce Small Business Index, has hit its concerns and front and center among them is
highest score since the start of the COVID-19 inflation. In fact, this is the seventh consecutive
pandemic in 2020 as more small business owners quarter where inflation tops the list of challenges
see an improving economy. for small business owners.
The Q3 2023 Index score jumped this quarter Over half (52%) of small businesses say inflation is
thanks to a nine-percentage point increase in the their biggest challenge, a near-record high which
share of small businesses saying that the U.S. has been consistent over the last year. Other
economy is in good health (33%). Small businesses concerns don’t come close to registering the same
also feel better about their own business health level of concern as inflation. Concerns about
and cash flow: Two in three (66%) report that their supply chain issues, revenue, and rising interest
business is in good health and roughly seven in ten rates continue to stay in a second tier of concerns
(72%) say they are comfortable with their cash flow. this quarter—all measuring more than twenty
percentage points lower than inflation.
On both measures, there has been a nearly-10
point increase from last quarter.
15 AAMMCCHHAAMMSOSOUTUHTHCHCINHAINA
