In The Marketplace

CIT Group Inc. of New York and BusinessWeek Research Services have released a joint survey, the CIT Small Business Outlook, showing that eight out of 10 small businesses expect their revenues to grow in 2006. The survey also found that 69% of established small businesses prefer to raise additional funds from commercial lenders because it allows them to maintain control. Among the insights offered by the survey are:

• Seven in 10 small businesses (71%) have performed well over the past 12 months (relative to the economy);
• 57% of small businesses are confident in the future of the U.S. economy;
• Almost three-quarters (74%) believe that now is a good time for companies to invest in their businesses;
• About half (48%) have raised capital to obtain cash for operational needs;
• 36% have either a definite or possible need to raise capital within the next year;
• Expansion, facilities, technology and marketing are the key areas in which small businesses plan to raise funds;
• 77 % believe that investing in new technologies is a critical component of success.

These results are based on the responses from 353 companies nationwide, with approximately five to 100 employees and revenues of $15 million or less. Participants were all key influential business decision makers in more than 40 industries, with a high concentration in consulting services, IT, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, publishing, financial services, real estate, manufacturing, and construction.

RMI of Atlanta, the largest independent provider of rail information services to the transportation industry, has issued its RailConnect Index Quarterly Analysis of Traffic Statistics for the first three quarters of 2005. Designed to provide railroads and rail shippers with insight on short line growth and trends, the report shows that short line carload traffic increased by 7.1% in the first 39 weeks of 2005 over the same period in 2004. Among the findings are that commodity carloads increased by 1.3% and merchandise traffic grew at 1.3%. Intermodal; stone, clay & aggregates; petroleum and coke; farm and food (excluding grain) and chemicals were the top five performers to date for 2005. Almost 85% of carload growth came from intermodal; stone, clay & aggregates and chemicals. Three commodity groups lost carloads, including motor vehicles and coal. RMI expects that for the balance of the year, coal volumes will increase over 2004 as high natural gas prices should push energy producers to coal. Chemicals continue to recover from the hurricanes and building materials should show improvement as communities rebuild from Texas to Florida.

Fitch Ratings of New York has named group managing director Gloria Aviotti as the Head of U.S. Structured Finance. She will assume management responsibilities for all U.S.-based structured finance rating groups as well as lead the longer-term initiative of refreshing and improving analytical models across all securitization products.

Econocom USA, Inc. of Memphis, TN has announced that it has agreed to sell its lease portfolio to Meridian Leasing Corporation, a Chicago-based provider of IT asset and financial management solutions. The sale will allow Econocom to focus its resources on its newest offering: a2z, a comprehensive IT infrastructure services solution for small- to-medium businesses. For Meridian, the purchase will expand its presence in the Southeastern market. As part of the agreement, Meridian will assume service of Econocom lease contracts for clients in 48 states.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation of Sausalito, CA has announced that Monica J. Burke will be leaving the company's full-time employment in mid-January and that it has promoted Robert M. Warwick to Chief Financial Officer from Director of Finance. Prior to joining Willis Lease, Warwick served as the Chief Financial Officer for The Bar Association of San Francisco and was the Controller for Catholic Healthcare West, the eighth largest hospital system in the nation. Warwick has more than 28 years of experience in the accounting profession.

CIT Group Inc. of New York and BusinessWeek Research Services have released a joint survey, the CIT Small Business Outlook, showing that eight out of 10 small businesses expect their revenues to grow in 2006. The survey also found that 69% of established small businesses prefer to raise additional funds from commercial lenders because it allows them to maintain control. Among the insights offered by the survey are:

• Seven in 10 small businesses (71%) have performed well over the past 12 months (relative to the economy);
• 57% of small businesses are confident in the future of the U.S. economy;
• Almost three-quarters (74%) believe that now is a good time for companies to invest in their businesses;
• About half (48%) have raised capital to obtain cash for operational needs;
• 36% have either a definite or possible need to raise capital within the next year;
• Expansion, facilities, technology and marketing are the key areas in which small businesses plan to raise funds;
• 77 % believe that investing in new technologies is a critical component of success.

These results are based on the responses from 353 companies nationwide, with approximately five to 100 employees and revenues of $15 million or less. Participants were all key influential business decision makers in more than 40 industries, with a high concentration in consulting services, IT, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, publishing, financial services, real estate, manufacturing, and construction.

RMI of Atlanta, the largest independent provider of rail information services to the transportation industry, has issued its RailConnect Index Quarterly Analysis of Traffic Statistics for the first three quarters of 2005. Designed to provide railroads and rail shippers with insight on short line growth and trends, the report shows that short line carload traffic increased by 7.1% in the first 39 weeks of 2005 over the same period in 2004. Among the findings are that commodity carloads increased by 1.3% and merchandise traffic grew at 1.3%. Intermodal; stone, clay & aggregates; petroleum and coke; farm and food (excluding grain) and chemicals were the top five performers to date for 2005. Almost 85% of carload growth came from intermodal; stone, clay & aggregates and chemicals. Three commodity groups lost carloads, including motor vehicles and coal. RMI expects that for the balance of the year, coal volumes will increase over 2004 as high natural gas prices should push energy producers to coal. Chemicals continue to recover from the hurricanes and building materials should show improvement as communities rebuild from Texas to Florida.