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Equipment finance executives expressed continued confidence in September, according to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Monthly Confidence Index. The index registered 59.9, nearly unchanged from August’s 60.2.
The report highlights expectations for higher demand. Nearly 40% of executives anticipate increased leasing and loan activity to fund capital expenditures over the next four months, up from 26.9% in August.
Access to capital also improved, with 21.7% of respondents expecting more availability for equipment acquisitions. Business conditions are seen as stable or improving by more than 80% of executives surveyed.
Jeffry Elliott, CEO of Elevex Capital and ELFA Treasurer, said: “Competing economic forces and political strategy collide to create an unusual operating environment. Some will freeze and some will take market share.”
Confidence in the broader U.S. economy also improved. Nearly 9% of executives rated it as “excellent,” compared to none in August. Looking ahead, 39.1% expect the economy to improve, though 30.4% anticipate worsening conditions.
