According to Bank of America’s 2025 Business Owner Report, many business owners are approaching the next 12 months with cautious optimism, with nearly three out of four expecting revenue increases. But compared to last year, more small business owners expect sales to decrease over the next 12 months, while fewer who run medium-sized firms expect that to occur. With the holidays around the corner, there are crosscurrents for small businesses. On one hand, consumer spending on holiday items was off to a strong start; on the other, tariff-related costs have surged for small businesses. Despite the pressure, inventory payments per small business client were up 0.6% year-over-year in October, though seasonal retail hiring remains below last year’s levels.

UPS announced third-quarter 2024 consolidated revenues of $22.2 billion, a 5.6% increase from the third quarter of 2023. Consolidated operating profit was $2.0 billion, up 47.8% compared to the third quarter of 2023, and up 22.8% on a non-GAAP adjusted basis. Diluted earnings per share were $1.80 for the quarter; non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.76, 12.1% above the same period in 2023. For the third quarter of 2024, GAAP results include an after-tax net benefit of $36 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, comprised of a $152 million gain resulting from the divestiture of the Coyote Logistics business net of transformation strategy costs of $116 million.

National Average Price for Regular Unleaded Current: $4.761; Month Ago: $4.204; Year Ago: $3.042. National Average Price for Diesel Current: $5.581; Month Ago: $5.370; Year Ago: $3.186.