The BusinessPulse, powered by Barlow Research Associates, Inc., provides detailed analysis and reporting on small business sentiment including economic position, economic confidence, and credit outlook for small and middle market companies. Barlow Research surveys more than 2,800 companies annually across the U.S. to gather current viewpoints and draws on 10 years of data to provide in-depth research on economic trends to the commercial banking sector.

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BUSINESSPULSE

Second Quarter, 2021

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LIVE OAK BUSINESSPULSE Q2 2021

Findings include

Government relief programs have allowed small and middle market businesses to stabilize their balance sheets and retain employees

52%

of small businesses feel more
confident in their finances

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48%

of small businesses avoided
employee layoffs because
of PPP

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Small and middle market businesses are feeling the pressure on price increases due to supply chain and revenue disruptions

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28%

of small businesses have increased prices over the past 12 months

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42%

of middle market companies have increased prices over the past 12 months

Optimism has increased amongst small and middle market businesses due to widespread vaccine availability and restrictions being lifted

52%  21-LOB-BizPulse-Bar-Chart-52

of small businesses anticipate an uptick in sales over the next 12 months

62%  21-LOB-BizPulse-Bar-Chart-62

of middle market companies anticipate an uptick in sales over the next 12 months

BUSINESSPulse Archive

The Live Oak BusinessPulse, fielded by Barlow Research Associates, is an invitation-only economic survey administered online or via fax, fielded for two weeks during the first month of each quarter.