The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the March 2012 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) on March 23.
According to the report, overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 61.7, up from the February index of 59.6, indicating industry participants are optimistic despite concerns that external factors, including gas prices and the upcoming elections, may have on the market.
“I still remain optimistic, but it seems that increasing gas prices, looming elections, and lack of comfort with future government regulation have created a rather sluggish first quarter as far as the small business marketplace is concerned,” Valerie Jester, president, Brandywine Capital Associates Inc. and an MCI survey respondent, said when asked about the outlook for the future. “We had hoped to see sustained momentum from strong fourth quarter activity, but it has yet to appear.”
According to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, the March 2012 survey results are as follows:
