Financing: fast-growth companies increasing borrowings.

• Author: Marshall, Jeffrey
• Position: BusinessBriefs - Brief Article

Fast-growth companies, led by those in the product sector, are upping their financing activity, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers' latest Trendsetter Barometer.

* Twenty-eight percent of the nation's fastest-growing companies secured new bank loans or other financing in the fourth quarter of 2003, up from only 20 percent in the prior quarter. New loans were completed by 21 percent, up from the previous quarter's 16 percent, a recent low.

* Twenty-six percent of product-sector companies obtained new loans, up sharply from 19 percent. But, notably fewer, 17 percent of service businesses, took out new loans, up from 14 percent. Also, 21 percent of growth companies--up from 15 percent--increased their credit lines an average of...