Equipment finance industry confidence eases in August
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation reports the August 2021 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) index is 66.6, a decrease from the July index of 72.9.
The index reports a qualitative assessment of the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $900 billion equipment finance sector.
When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Dave Fate, CEO, Stonebriar Commercial Finance, said, “I have been optimistic on the near- and long-term future of the equipment leasing and finance industry. As was proven out during 2020, secured loans and leases always outperform all other asset classes. In my opinion that will never change. My only concerns are things outside of our control, such as the potential increase in tax rates and the political landscape that exists today at the federal and state levels.”
August 2021 survey results:
The overall MCI-EFI is 66.6, a decrease from the July index of 72.9.
When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 35.7 percent of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, down from 58.6 percent in July; 64.3 percent believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, up from 41.4 percent the previous month. None believe business conditions will worsen, unchanged from July.
- 32.1 percent of the survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (capex) will increase over the next four months, down from 55.2 percent in July. 67.9 percent believe demand will “remain the same” during the same four-month time period, an increase from 41.4 percent the previous month. None believe demand will decline, down from 3.5 percent in July.
- Almost 29 (28.6) percent of the respondents expect more access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions over the next four months, down from 37.9 percent in July; 71.4 percent of executives indicate they expect the “same” access to capital to fund business, an increase from 62.1 percent last month. None expect “less” access to capital, unchanged from the previous month.
- When asked, 35.7 percent of the executives report they expect to hire more employees over the next four months, down from 37.9 percent in July; 64.3 percent expect no change in headcount over the next four months, an increase from 62.1 percent last month. None expect to hire fewer employees, unchanged from July.
- More than 14 (14.3) percent of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” a decrease from 27.6 percent the previous month’ 85.7 percent of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “fair,” up from 72.4 percent in July. None evaluate it as “poor,” unchanged from last month.
- Just 32.1 percent of the survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get “better” over the next six months, a decrease from 48.3 percent in July; 64.3 percent indicate they believe the U.S. economy will “stay the same” over the next six months, an increase from 51.7 percent last month. 3.6 percent believe economic conditions in the U.S. will worsen over the next six months, up from none the previous month.
- In August, 50 percent of respondents indicate they believe their company will increase spending on business development activities during the next six months, down from 51.7 percent last month. 50 percent believe there will be “no change” in business development spending, an increase from 48.3 percent in July. None believe there will be a decrease in spending, unchanged from last month.
August 2021 MCI-EFI survey comments from industry executive leadership:
Bank, Small Ticket
“I think we are currently chopping wood and grinding through an abundance of liquidity, supply chain disruptions, ever narrowing margins, and competitive recruiting environments. This will continue for the near future, and our industry will adapt and find ways to win.” – David Normandin, president and CEO, Wintrust Specialty Finance
Bank, Middle Ticket
“We continue to see demand for equipment and facilities from our customer base. Customers are looking to take advantage of low-rate long-term funding. Business growth is solid but is somewhat hampered by supply chain challenges.” Michael Romanowski, president, Farm Credit Leasing
Access the MCI-EFI at https://www.leasefoundation.org/industry-resources/monthly-confidence-index/
Learn more about the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation at www.leasefoundation.org.
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