Corporate Bankruptcies Hit 15-Year High

Over 700 companies filed for bankruptcy from the start of 2025 through November, reaching the highest level of corporate bankruptcy filings since 2010.

The Details: Companies tied to manufacturing, construction, and transportation saw the highest surge, followed by consumer-oriented businesses selling discretionary products like fashion and home furnishings. Mega-bankruptcies, filings from companies worth $1 billion or more, also spiked, with over 17 filings in the first six months of the year.

For Context: Corporate bankruptcy filings jumped by 14% compared to the same time period in 2024 and are the highest they have been since the aftermath of the Great Recession. Companies cited inflation, interest rates, and President Donald Trump's trade policies and tariffs as contributing to their financial challenges.

How the Media Covered It: Washington Post (Lean Left bias) highlighted how Trump's economic policies impacted bankruptcies in the headline, "Bankruptcies soar as companies grapple with inflation, tariffs." Newsmax (Right) wrote that "despite the surge in bankruptcies," the US economy at large "shows signs of strength," noting that recently released reports show 4.3% economic growth in the third quarter of the year. Reuters (Center) noted that even though the full impact of Trump's tariffs is yet to be seen, "businesses are already feeling the strain from rising input costs," which is "further squeezing lower-income consumers" struggling with high inflation and a difficult job market.

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