US Small and Midsize Businesses Poised for Growth, Waiting to Make Significant M

There is growing confidence among US business leaders that efficiency and productivity gains over the next 12 months will translate to increased profitability and greater opportunities to invest in technology, expansion and hiring between now and the middle of 2027, reports Columbia Bank.Fuelled by a notable year-over-year improvement in the outlook of smaller enterprises, a record number of both small and middle market businesses say they are prioritising making investments over cutting costs. However, their optimism remains measured. While businesses are confident in their 12-month outlook, 3 in 5 indicate they plan to delay major decisions for at least six months as they monitor current pressures from tariffs, inflation and rising energy costs.

The findings are revealed in the Columbia Bank 2026 Business Barometer, an annual study examining the outlook, priorities and decision-making of nearly 1,200 small and middle market enterprises across the US.

Advances in AI capabilities are shaping expectations for future growthThe survey and focus groups conducted as part of this year's study indicate that recent advances in AI capabilities are in part driving the positive 12-month out

Fuente original: Yahoo Finance (https://finance.yahoo.com/small-business/articles/us-small-midsize-businesses-poised-181414660.html)