Gateway Commercial Finance reports summer cash‑flow crunch hits six U.S. industries

Gateway Commercial Finance, an invoice‑factoring firm, analysed data from the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to highlight a recurring summer cash‑flow strain on American businesses. A U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index survey showed that confidence in cash flow fell to 20% in early 2026, an 11‑point drop in two quarters, while 51% of small employer firms cited uneven cash flow as a major challenge.

The analysis identified six sectors most vulnerable to the seasonal revenue dip, including construction, which sees activity swing by nearly 20 percentage points over the year. The report notes that fixed costs such as rent, insurance and loan payments persist through the summer lull, forcing tighter working‑capital management. Companies in the affected industries are encouraged to anticipate the seasonal slowdown and adopt cash‑flow mitigation strategies.