• Consumer spending and AI investment support resilient U.S. growth, though high borrowing costs and uneven wealth gains pressure households and small businesses.
• Small Business Lending Index fell 4.3% in August from July but remained 2% above its year-earlier level.
• Credit quality improved, with small-business defaults declining 5 basis points in August; short-term delinquencies also fell.
• Consumer spending grew at a 3.8% annualized rate in the second quarter; the Atlanta Fed forecasts 3.4% third-quarter growth.
• Businesses serving budget-conscious consumers face greater demand pressure than those serving wealthier households.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Equifax Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.