GE Capital, Americas says it recently concluded its survey of chief financial officers of 532 mid-market companies in seven distinct industries across the United States. Transportation was one of these industries, and CFOs were asked about their current views and outlook on the U.S. economy, commercial credit and lending conditions, business and energy costs and other operational issues.
Transportation industry CFOs stood out from their peers in other industries in a number of areas. Below are some key survey findings:
• 43 percent of transportation CFOs predict an increase in their company’s profit margins, with only 18 percent predicting a decrease, the most optimistic among their peers across other industries;
• 68 percent of transportation CFOs stated that increasing average revenue per loaded mile was the one of their greatest business opportunities; and
• On a scale of 1 to 5 (1-least important; 5-most important) transportation CFOs rated the most concerning business factors in the industry. 84 percent chose the top two boxes (4 and 5) for safety/truck accidents; 78 percent chose fuel price volatility, and 76 percent chose the retention and recruitment of quality drivers.
