A new survey of 500 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the U.S. found that 65% of respondents feel optimistic about their long-term prospects, with investment in technology emerging as a key growth strategy.

The research, conducted by asset finance insurance provider Acquis, aimed to gauge business sentiment for 2025 and identify areas of opportunity and challenge. While the majority expressed confidence in their future, 20% reported feeling pessimistic about their company’s long-term viability.

Regional differences in sentiment were stark. Businesses in the South were the most optimistic, with 72% of respondents expressing a positive outlook. The West followed closely at 64%. In contrast, SMBs in the Northeast reported the highest level of pessimism, with 27% saying they felt negative about their future.

When asked about growth opportunities, 55% of respondents identified investing in technology as a top priority. Industry-specific variations also emerged, with businesses in construction and manufacturing sectors ranking cost and pricing optimization as their greatest opportunity for expansion.

The report also found that a significant number of SMBs plan to invest in new equipment next year, with 85% expressing intentions to make purchases. However, only 27% of businesses plan to use leasing to fund their equipment investments, while 41% expect to rely on credit cards—an approach that could prove costly amid high interest rates.

“There’s an opportunity for equipment leasing to bridge the gap, providing a more cost-effective way for SMBs to manage cash flow,” said Craig Ault, chief revenue officer at Acquis.

The full report is available online at Acquis’ website.