2014 Chase Business Leaders Outlook Survey:
Confidence Continues to Grow
Size Aside, the Outlook is Bright
Thanks largely to an improving economy, leaders of small and mid-sized U.S. businesses project increased sales and profits for the coming year, according to findings from the 2014 Chase Business Leaders Outlook survey.
Among the more than 3,000 business leaders surveyed, 54 percent of middle market executives and 42 percent of small business owners say they are optimistic about the nation’s economic prospects for the year ahead. That is 17 percent higher for middle market companies and 5 percent higher for small businesses from 2013.
Optimism about their local economy reached record levels for middle market companies, with 63 percent expressing a positive view, and the feeling was mutual for small businesses, 57 percent, which was up 7 percent over last year.
Business leaders are expecting this good news to directly impact their bottom line. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of middle market companies and 67 percent of small businesses expect to increase sales in 2014—and more than half of the respondents plan to boost profits as well.
“It’s encouraging to see that, despite some perceived challenges, respondents expressed confidence in the future of their companies and increased optimism about the national, global and local economy,” said Doug Petno, CEO of Chase Commercial Banking.
About the Survey
This year, Chase surveyed more than 3,000 business leaders from both small and mid-sized U.S. businesses including:
- Business owners, leaders and senior decision-makers at 2,400 small businesses with revenues ranging from $100,000 to $20 million.
- CEOs, CFOs and other executives and senior leaders from 1,100 middle market companies with annual revenues between $20 million and $500 million.
Surveying both audiences provides a holistic view of the opportunities, challenges and trends facing a wide range of American businesses—and the findings provide insight into how their outlooks compare based on size and strategic goals.
