Wells Fargo Survey: Commercial Business Sentiment Reaches its Highest Level in Four Years, Following the Election
Wells Fargo's Q4 2024 Commercial Business Sentiment Report reveals the highest sentiment index score (112.9) in four years, up from 102.3 in Q3 2024. The survey, conducted post-presidential election from November 15-22, 2024, gathered insights from 307 commercial companies with annual revenues between $10M-$500M.
Key findings show increased optimism with 51% of companies expecting economic improvement in the next 12 months and 63% anticipating better conditions over five years. Business outlook is positive, with 43% expecting improvement in the next year, while only 6% predict decline. Regarding demand, 36% anticipate increased demand for goods/services, with just 4% expecting lower demand.
Top factors boosting business include improved efficiency (35%), growing customer base (29%), reduced fuel costs (27%), and interest rates stabilizing (27%). However, challenges persist with 57% citing inflation as their primary concern, followed by increased prices/costs (70%), reduced demand (49%), recession fears (48%), and hiring/retention issues (46%).
Il rapporto sul sentiment delle imprese commerciali del Q4 2024 di Wells Fargo rivela il punteggio dell'indice di sentiment più alto (112,9) degli ultimi quattro anni, in aumento rispetto a 102,3 nel Q3 2024. Il sondaggio, condotto dopo le elezioni presidenziali dal 15 al 22 novembre 2024, ha raccolto informazioni da 307 aziende commerciali con ricavi annuali tra 10 milioni e 500 milioni di dollari.
Le principali scoperte mostrano un aumento dell'ottimismo, con il 51% delle aziende che prevede un miglioramento economico nei prossimi 12 mesi e il 63% che si aspetta condizioni migliori nei prossimi cinque anni. Le prospettive aziendali sono positive, con il 43% che prevede un miglioramento nel prossimo anno, mentre solo il 6% prevede un declino. Per quanto riguarda la domanda, il 36% prevede un aumento della domanda di beni/servizi, mentre solo il 4% si aspetta una diminuzione della domanda.
I principali fattori che favoriscono le imprese includono un'efficienza migliorata (35%), una crescente base di clienti (29%), una riduzione dei costi del carburante (27%) e la stabilizzazione dei tassi di interesse (27%). Tuttavia, le sfide persistono, con il 57% che cita l'inflazione come la loro principale preoccupazione, seguita da un aumento dei prezzi/costi (70%), una domanda ridotta (49%), timori di recessione (48%) e problemi di assunzione/retezione (46%).
El informe de sentimiento empresarial comercial Q4 2024 de Wells Fargo revela el puntaje del índice de sentimiento más alto (112.9) en cuatro años, en aumento desde 102.3 en Q3 2024. La encuesta, realizada después de las elecciones presidenciales del 15 al 22 de noviembre de 2024, recopiló información de 307 empresas comerciales con ingresos anuales entre 10 millones y 500 millones de dólares.
Los hallazgos clave muestran un aumento en el optimismo, con el 51% de las empresas esperando una mejora económica en los próximos 12 meses y el 63% anticipando mejores condiciones en cinco años. Las perspectivas empresariales son positivas, con el 43% esperando mejoras en el próximo año, mientras que solo el 6% predice un declive. En cuanto a la demanda, el 36% anticipa un aumento en la demanda de bienes/servicios, mientras que solo el 4% espera una menor demanda.
Los principales factores que impulsan las empresas incluyen una mejora en la eficiencia (35%), una creciente base de clientes (29%), la reducción de costos de combustible (27%) y la estabilización de las tasas de interés (27%). Sin embargo, persisten los desafíos, con el 57% citando la inflación como su principal preocupación, seguida de un aumento en los precios/costos (70%), una demanda reducida (49%), temores de recesión (48%) y problemas de contratación/retencción (46%).
웰스 파고의 2024년 4분기 상업 비즈니스 심리 보고서는 지난 4년간 가장 높은 심리 지수 점수(112.9)를 기록했으며, 2024년 3분기에는 102.3이었습니다. 이 조사는 2024년 11월 15일부터 22일 사이에 실시되었으며, 연간 수익이 1000만 달러에서 5억 달러 사이인 307개의 상업 기업에서 정보를 수집했습니다.
주요 발견 사항은 51%의 기업이 향후 12개월 내 경제 개선을 기대하고 있다는 것으로 나타났으며, 63%는 5년 동안 더 나은 조건을 예상하고 있습니다. 비즈니스 전망은 긍정적이며, 43%는 내년에 개선을 기대하고 있으나, 겨우 6%만이 감소를 예측하고 있습니다. 수요에 대한 조사에서는 36%가 상품/서비스 수요가 증가할 것으로 예상하고 있으며, 4%만이 수요가 감소할 것으로 예상합니다.
비즈니스를 촉진하는 주요 요인은 효율성 개선(35%), 증가하는 고객 기반(29%), 연료 비용 절감(27%) 및 안정된 금리(27%)입니다. 그러나 과제가 여전히 존재합니다, 57%가 인플레이션을 주요 우려 사항으로 지적하고, 가격/비용 증가(70%), 수요 감소(49%), 경기 침체 우려(48%) 및 고용/유지 문제(46%)가 뒤따릅니다.
Le rapport sur le sentiment des entreprises commerciales Q4 2024 de Wells Fargo révèle le score de l'indice de sentiment le plus élevé (112,9) en quatre ans, en hausse par rapport à 102,3 au Q3 2024. L'enquête, réalisée après les élections présidentielles du 15 au 22 novembre 2024, a recueilli des informations auprès de 307 entreprises commerciales ayant des revenus annuels compris entre 10 millions et 500 millions de dollars.
Les principales conclusions montrent un optimisme croissant, avec 51% des entreprises s'attendant à une amélioration économique au cours des 12 prochains mois et 63% anticipant de meilleures conditions au cours des cinq prochaines années. Les perspectives commerciales sont positives, 43% s'attendant à une amélioration l'année prochaine, tandis que seuls 6% prévoient un déclin. En ce qui concerne la demande, 36% envisagent une augmentation de la demande pour les biens/services, alors que seulement 4% s'attendent à une baisse de la demande.
Les principaux facteurs qui favorisent les entreprises comprennent une efficacité améliorée (35%), une clientèle en augmentation (29%), une réduction des coûts de carburant (27%) et une stabilisation des taux d'intérêt (27%). Cependant, des défis persistent, 57% citant l'inflation comme leur principale préoccupation, suivie par l'augmentation des prix/coûts (70%), une demande réduite (49%), des craintes de récession (48%) et des problèmes de recrutement/retenue (46%).
Der Wells Fargo Q4 2024 Bericht über das Geschäftswelt-Sentiment zeigt den höchsten Stimmungsindexwert (112,9) seit vier Jahren, der von 102,3 im Q3 2024 gestiegen ist. Die Umfrage, die nach den Präsidentschaftswahlen vom 15. bis 22. November 2024 durchgeführt wurde, sammelte Informationen von 307 Handelsunternehmen mit einem Jahresumsatz zwischen 10 Millionen und 500 Millionen Dollar.
Wichtige Erkenntnisse zeigen einen Anstieg des Optimismus, wobei 51% der Unternehmen eine wirtschaftliche Verbesserung in den nächsten 12 Monaten erwarten und 63% bessere Bedingungen in den nächsten fünf Jahren prognostizieren. Die Geschäftsaussichten sind positiv: 43% erwarten Verbesserung im kommenden Jahr, während nur 6% einen Rückgang vorhersagen. Bezüglich der Nachfrage erwarten 36% eine steigende Nachfrage nach Waren/Dienstleistungen, während nur 4% mit einer geringeren Nachfrage rechnen.
Die wichtigsten Faktoren, die das Geschäft fördern, sind verbesserte Effizienz (35%), wachsende Kundenbasis (29%), gesunkene Treibstoffkosten (27%) und stabilisierte Zinssätze (27%). Allerdings bestehen Herausforderungen, da 57% die Inflation als ihre Hauptsorge angeben, gefolgt von steigenden Preisen/Kosten (70%), gesunkener Nachfrage (49%), Rezessionsängsten (48%) und Problemen bei Einstellung/Bindung (46%).
- None.
- None.
Companies optimistic about their businesses and the economy
2024 Q4 Commercial Business Sentiment Report (Photo: Wells Fargo)
With election outcome uncertainty no longer a factor, companies reported increased optimism about the state of their businesses, demand for their products/services, and their expectation for overall economic improvement in both the near and long term:
“The highly positive commercial sentiment recorded in Q4 was likely driven by the elimination of election unknowns, which typically delay business decisions and tend to raise concern,” said Mary Katherine Dubose, head of Specialized Industries for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking. “The second highest commercial sentiment index score we have recorded was in Q2 of June 2021 (111.7), following the release of the Covid vaccine, another time when businesses saw a clear way forward after a time of uncertainty.”
Key findings in the 2024 Q4 Commercial Business Sentiment Report include:
Internal drivers: How companies feel about the state of their businesses:
-
State of business compared to 12 months ago:
19% said their business was worse-off vs.29% that said their business was better-off. -
Expected state of business in the next 12 months:
6% expect worse vs.43% that expect an improvement. -
Expected demand for goods/services in the next 12 months:
4% expect lower demand while36% expect an increase in demand.
External drivers: How companies feel about the state of the economy:
-
Expected state of the
U.S. economy in the next 12 months:13% believe the economy will be worse vs.51% that expect it to be better (an increase from22% in Q3). -
Expected state of the
U.S. economy over the next 5 years:13% believe the economy will be worse vs.63% that expect it to be better (an increase from44% in Q3).
Top factors that improved business in the last 3-6 months:
-
35% of businesses identified improved efficiency, while29% of businesses identified their growing customer base,27% identified reduced fuel costs and27% identified interest rates stabilizing (7% increase from Q3).
Top Concerns impacting commercial business financial conditions:
-
57% of companies identified inflation as the top factor negatively impacting their company. -
Additionally, when asked to identify their top three concerns,
70% cited increased prices and costs,49% cited reduced demand for goods and services,48% citing the possibility of prolonged economic recession and46% citing hiring/retaining employees.
About the Commercial Business Sentiment Study
The Wells Fargo Commercial Business Sentiment Study began in the summer of 2020 in collaboration with Barlow Research Associates to monitor the evolving impact on businesses from the pandemic, their most pressing challenges and the types of support they need from their bank. Given the continued fluid economic climate, the study has continued quarterly to understand evolving sentiment and needs of commercial companies.
An online survey was administered to collect data from senior, high-level executives (i.e., CFOs, treasurers, presidents, directors of finance, credit managers) at commercial companies. The fourth quarter 2024 study was conducted from November 15 to November 22 among 307 commercial companies.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately
Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo
News Release Category: WF-ERS
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250203912664/en/
Media
Audra Achiu, 801-319-8681
audra.achiu@wellsfargo.com
Source: Wells Fargo & Company
FAQ
What was WFC's Commercial Business Sentiment Index score in Q4 2024?
How many companies expect economic improvement according to WFC's Q4 2024 survey?
What are the top business concerns identified in WFC's Q4 2024 report?
How did the 2024 presidential election impact WFC's business sentiment survey results?
What factors improved business performance according to WFC's Q4 2024 survey?
