Small Businesses in U.S. File for Bankruptcy at Record Pace, Surpassing COVID Crash
Small businesses across the US are experiencing a surge in bankruptcies, surpassing levels not seen since 2020.
According to a UBS note reviewed by The Epoch Times, conditions could become worse as the knock-on effects from the recent banking crises begin to manifest.
The note from UBS Evidence Lab shows private bankruptcy filings in 2023 have exceeded the highest point recorded during the early stages of the COVID pandemic by a considerable amount.
The four-week moving average for private filings in late February was 73% higher than in June 2020.
“[We] believe one of the more underappreciated signs of distress in U.S. corporate credit is already emanating from the small- and mid-size enterprises sector,” Matthew Mish, head of credit strategy at UBS, wrote in a recently published research note.
“[The] smallest of firms [are] facing the most severe pressure from rising rates, persistent inflation and slowing growth.”
Industries hit hardest by the wave of bankruptcies include real estate, health care, chemicals, and retail outlets, according to the Swiss Bank’s report.
The Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening to combat inflationary pressures has been largely behind the uptick in bankruptcies.
Source: Epoch Times
© CopyRights RawNews1st
