Combined with downturns in the Industrial Production Index and construction spending, the Small Business Health Index's April 2013 decline highlights the continuing struggle small businesses face in a volatile economic environment. Nevertheless, key indicators like falling unemployment are promising for the sector.

1. What’s driving the US
small business sector?
DB Small Business Health Index
After hitting pre-recession levels earlier in 2013, the small
business sector struggled for the second consecutive month
in April, according to DB’s monthly Small Business Health
Index. The overall index registered a nearly 2-point drop in
April compared to March, with all major sectors declining.
The real estate market, which had previously shown signs
of hope, boasted the largest decline of any sector, while
manufacturing, retail, transportation, and automakers
also struggled. In contrast, the business services and
construction segments each showed strong improvement.
As the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates the
50th anniversary of National Small Business Week in June,
the overall stability of small business remains tenuous.
Small businesses in all major sectors continued to
close their doors in April, underscoring their challenge
in regaining a full pre-recession footing.
Fewer small businesses were able to pay their bills
on time in April, a somber decline after three months
of improvement.
June 2013
March 2013
Small Business Health Index: Overall
Source: DB Global Data, Insights Analytics
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Apr 13Dec 10Dec 08Dec 06Dec 04
A
pril
1.7points
Credit Card Delinquency
Small Business Failures
140
145
150
155
160
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
Payment Delinquency
Credit Card Utilization
80
95
110
125
140
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
Credit Card Delinquency
Small Business Failures
140
145
150
155
160
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
Payment Delinquency
Credit Card Utilization
80
95
110
125
140
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
www.dnb.com

2. June 2013
On-time credit card payments ramped up in the small business
sector for the second consecutive month in April, a positive
development following poor credit card performance in 2012.
Combined with downturns in the Industrial Production Index and construction spending, the Small
Business Health Index’s April 2013 decline highlights the continuing struggle small businesses
face in a volatile economic environment. Nevertheless, key indicators like falling unemployment
are promising for the sector. DB proudly supports small businesses – the lifeblood of the U.S.
economy – during the SBA’s National Small BusinessWeek, June 17 to 21, 2013.
DB’s monthly Small Business Health Index (SBHI) measures
small business health through payment patterns, failure
rates, and credit utilization. The SBHI follows a sampling of
all active small businesses with fewer than 100 employees
and combines pro- and counter-cyclical elements to provide
a simple, representative number. Using 2004 as the base year
(Index value 100), improvement is designated by an Index
value above 100.
Small businesses were less reliant on credit cards in
April, signaling a potential easing of access to
traditional forms of credit and lending.
Credit Card Delinquency
140
145
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
Credit Card Utilization
80
95
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
77
78
79
80
81
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
42
44
46
48
50
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
Credit Card Delinquency
140
145
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
Credit Card Utilization
80
95
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
77
78
79
80
81
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
42
44
46
48
50
Apr 2013Mar 2013Feb 2013Jan 2013
What is the Small Business Health Index?
© Dun Bradstreet, Inc. 2013. All rights reserved. (DB-XXXX 6/13)
DB’s informed perspective puts the future in focus, helping you protect,
grow, and empower your business. To learn more, visit www.dnb.com
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What can we expect for small business?