MAY 2026 INDUSTRY NEWS AND TRENDS
Older small business owners are more optimistic, resilient
A survey of 1,000 U.S. small business owners found significant differences in outlook across the generations. Overall, the mood is one of measured optimism; 78% saying they are concerned about current economic conditions, yet 68% expect their business to grow in 2026.
However, younger business owners are more likely to be scaling back and less likely to have emergency funds at the ready. More than half of millennials (55%) report pulling back on business investment compared to 48% of Gen X and just 34% of baby boomers. Along the same lines, only 58.2% of millennials say they could cover a month of operating costs in an emergency compared to 62.1% of Gen X and 80% of Baby Boomers.
Economically vulnerable. 61% of respondents say they could cover a month of operating costs in an emergency. Again, changes across generations. 80% of Baby Boomers, 62.1% of Gen X, and 58.2% of millennials.
Commercial bankruptcy filings increased 42% year over year
Data from Epiq reveals that total commercial Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing have increased 42% year over year between April 2025 and April 2026, rising to 644 filings. The streamlined Chapter 11 options—used when businesses have less than ~$7.5 million in debt—rose 46%, suggesting that small businesses are as vulnerable as large enterprises in the current economic landscape.
Survey: CFO optimism takes a hit
A recent survey by U.S. Bank indicates that U.S. finance leaders are feeling less confident in the economic outlook for the U.S. Of the 1,000 respondents surveyed, just over one-third (36%) said their outlook for the year ahead was positive, down from 42% in Q4 2025.
However, the picture improved as the timeframe lengthened. When asked for their outlook over a three-year timeframe, 58% said their outlook was positive, although this is still down from 63% in Q4 2025.
The survey also captured other potential business trends, with a high percentage of respondents indicating plans for M&A and nearshoring.
April jobs report holds positive signals for staffing industry
April data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers cause for cautious optimism for staffing companies.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 115,000, with some of the strongest gains in healthcare (37,000 new jobs) and transportation and warehousing (30,300 new jobs). Temporary help services also saw improvement, with nearly 8,000 jobs added in April.
