The U.S. economy faces mounting uncertainty, from tariffs and shifting interest rates to climate change and industry-specific challenges. Nearly a third of the economy is already in recession or at risk of falling into one. Against this backdrop, businesses are under pressure to manage cash flow, credit risk and working capital more effectively than ever before.
In this report, we analyze payment data, credit risk, and delinquency patterns for more than 32 million U.S. businesses from the last two years to uncover which sectors are financially resilient and which sectors may succumb to financial challenges. Ultimately, this will help you set the right terms when working with new customers and suppliers in these industries.
Average Days Beyond Terms (DBT) Remain Flat
Across all U.S. industries, the average DBT held steady at 10.9–11 days from 2023 through mid-2025, showing companies are not letting invoices slip dramatically past payment terms.
Wild Swings in Short-Term Payments
Invoices 1–30 days late surged to 41.5% in June 2024 before collapsing to 1.9% by May 2025 — economists warn that this type of swing signals fragile liquidity and uncertain confidence.
Spike-and-Retreat in Serious Delinquencies
Bills 91+ days late jumped to 5.7% in February 2025 before plunging to just 0.3% by May 2025 — the lowest in two years. This pattern suggests businesses are absorbing shocks in short bursts rather than achieving true stability.
Complete the form below to download the report