Two-Thirds of Business Owners are Comfortable with Business Health and Cash Flow

August 15, 2024

Delaney Sexton
Contributing Editor

Two-Thirds of Business Owners are Comfortable with Business Health and Cash Flow

“It is encouraging to see the majority of small business owners are satisfied with their business’s health and their current cash flow, despite ongoing concerns around inflation,” says Cynthia Smith, SVP, Head of Regional Business at MetLife. “These trends convey a sense of optimism for the future and, once again, underscore the adaptability and determination shown by small business owners in challenging economic environments.”

The MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index found that small businesses were slightly more optimistic about the economy at the start of 2024. This was paired with a small improvement in the index score. Here are the findings:

• A third of small businesses said the economy is in good health, up 7% from the last quarter of 2023.
• 38% said that their local economy is in good health.
• While inflation continues to be the most prominent concern for small businesses, almost 30% of small businesses report that revenue is their biggest challenge.
• 20% of small businesses chose rising interest rates as a top concern during the first quarter of 2024.
• Almost two-thirds of businesses believe the overall health of their business is good.
• Two-thirds of small businesses are comfortable with their current cash flow.

Source:
Small Business Index Q1 2024 Press Release
Small Business Index Q1 2024 Report