BUSINESS STARTS INDEX

A compilation of statistics published by Dun & Bradstreet that reports the number of businesses – incorporated and unincorporated – that start each week. Economists, investors and lawmakers use the index to evaluate current financial trends and to forecast future economic conditions.

Dun & Bradstreet analyzes corporate-reported information to supply credit reports and ratings to analysts. In addition to nationwide statistics, individual states report their monthly business starts, which means that the index can be used for comparative purposes for particular time periods and regions.