Business Trends

Biweekly Business Trends – United States – October 9 – 22, 2023​

• The U.S. Census Bureau’s recent Business Trends and Outlook Survey provides insights into small businesses’ perceptions of their current and future performance.

• Respondents generally viewed their current business performance as “Average,” with a more optimistic outlook for the future, where “Average” performance is expected to continue.

• The survey also indicates that a majority of small businesses were not using Artificial Intelligence in their operations in the last two weeks, and a significant proportion do not anticipate AI integration in their business processes in the near future.

Biweekly Business Trends – United States – August 28 – September 10, 2023

• The Business Trends and Outlook Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that a significant portion of businesses in the U.S. currently report average performance, with some performing above and below average.

• Looking ahead, businesses are cautiously optimistic, with a majority anticipating an average performance six months from the provided date, but there is also a segment expecting above-average and excellent performance.

• Businesses vary in their forecast horizons, with a notable number planning for the mid-term (7-12 months) and even longer-term (more than 12 months), showcasing diverse approaches to strategic planning among small businesses in the U.S.

Biweekly Business Trends – United States – August 14 – 27, 2023​

• The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Trends and Outlook Survey conducted in August 2023 revealed that nearly half of respondents considered their current business performance as “average,” with about 20% rating it as “above average” and 11% as “excellent.”

• Looking ahead, the majority of respondents expected their business performance to remain “average” in the next six months, while 22% anticipated “above-average” performance and 8% expected “excellent” performance.

• When it comes to forecasting, approximately 34% of respondents felt confident in predicting their business performance for the next “4-6 months,” while 22% extended their horizon to “7-12 months,” and 17% believed they could predict beyond “12 months,” highlighting varying degrees of forecasting capabilities among businesses.

Biweekly Business Trends – United States – July 31 – August 13, 2023

• Survey reflects diverse business performance levels, including average, above average, and below average, showcasing a mix of optimism and challenges.

• Respondents express a varied outlook, with optimism evident in expectations of above-average performance, while most anticipate an average performance level.

• Survey highlights the complexities of prediction, as confidence wanes for longer time frames, emphasizing the challenges of foreseeing distant outcomes.

Biweekly Business Trends – United States – July 17 – 30, 2023​

• U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey reveals diverse views on current business performance, with a significant “Average” sentiment and a range from “Above average” optimism to “Below average” acknowledgment of challenges.

• Anticipating future performance, most businesses foresee an “Average” trajectory, while a notable group expresses optimism with an “Above average” outlook and another segment approaches the future more cautiously with a “Below average” prediction.

• Respondents’ confidence in prediction spans various time horizons, with a focus on short- to medium-term planning, a willingness to strategize for longer periods, and a forward-looking subset emphasizing the ability to predict performance beyond immediate horizons.