Glossary · Reading the business
In short
An economic index is a statistical measure that tracks changes in a specific sector or the overall economy, such as GDP or consumer confidence. These indices help you understand the broader market conditions affecting the business you're buying.
While not directly part of the loan application, understanding relevant economic indices helps you assess the industry and market conditions a target business operates within. For example, if you're buying a construction business, housing starts (an economic index) are highly relevant. Use these to inform your due diligence and cash flow projections.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer
Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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