Industries with Riskiest Business Environments in United States in 2025

• 1. Polystyrene Foam Manufacturing in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  The polystyrene foam product manufacturing industry, which produces expanded and extruded foam materials for construction insulation, packaging, and food service applications, faces significant performance challenges amid regulatory pressures and evolving market dynamics. Current industry revenue stands at $10.4 billion in 2025, reflecting a sharp -7.2% decline from the previous year as state-level foam bans and environmental regulations eliminate key market segments...

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• 2. Oil & Gas Field Services in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  Oil and gas field service providers are directly tied to oil and gas production, so the industry typically follows trends that are significant to that industry (IBISWorld Report 21111). The period started off on a low note as the pandemic massively weakened production, cutting down the need for field service providers as the number of rigs operating saw a steep drop. This drop carried on in 2021 but resurged in 2022, driven by favorable pricing because of supply chain i...

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• 3. Printing in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  Printing is in the midst of a considerable and steady decline as digital products and services continue to displace printed materials. The two largest markets, advertising and publishing, have accelerated their online footprint, reducing printing demand. Recent years have witnessed a significant decline in newspaper and magazine subscriptions, exacerbating the challenges for printers. Even though printing technology has advanced, demand for traditional print has plummeted, leaving printers wi...

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• 4. Oil and Gas Drilling Equipment Manufacturing in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  Major global events, like the pandemic and the Ukraine war, have greatly impacted machinery manufacturers by creating significant volatility in commodity prices. Major production and travel slowdowns harmed demand for oil and gas, resulting in fewer extraction projects and lowering the need for machinery. Still, Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to sanctions placed on Russia by various countries, which led to surging oil and gas prices. This uptick in prices led to strong US oil and gas produc...

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• 5. Regional Banks in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  Regional banks are composed of commercial banks that have between $50.0 billion and $500.0 billion in domestic assets under management (AUM) and operations are not limited to one state. Banks that fall into this threshold offer the same services as the commercial banking industry. In addition, regional banks have a significantly smaller scope of operations compared with large commercial banks that operate nationwide.

  Over the past five years, regional banks have benefited from rising a...

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• 6. Copper, Nickel, Lead & Zinc Mining in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc Miners have seen modest revenue growth since 2025, in spite of disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and volatile demand from China. Minerals produced by the industry are key inputs in construction, electronics and automobiles, leading demand to fluctuate in unison with overall global economic activity. Specifically, China's vast appetite for copper and other metals creates a robust and direct relationship between Chinese demand and global market condit...

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• 7. Billboard & Outdoor Advertising in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  Over the past five years, digital billboards have reshaped the outdoor advertising sector, offering advertisers real-time content updates, dynamic messaging and improved targeting capabilities through technologies such as programmatic buying and geofencing. Companies have invested heavily in digital out-of-home formats (DOOH), using these tools to integrate physical placements with mobile and online strategies. The flexibility of digital formats, combined with better an...

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• 8. Vending Machine Operators in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  Vending machine operators stock and maintain vending machines that sell everything from snacks and soft drinks to technology and hand sanitizer. Because of the breadth of products sold in these machines, these businesses cater to a variety of markets, which limits volatility to a degree. Despite a rapid recovery in 2023, revenue has not returned to pre-pandemic levels after slumping between 2020 and 2022, including a dip of 23.1% in 2022 alone. Consumer behavior has been altered and customers...

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• 9. Copper Rolling, Drawing & Extruding in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  The copper rolling, drawing and extruding industry has been undergoing significant technological and operational advancements to secure long-term competitiveness. Producers are integrating advanced manufacturing technologies such as automation, robotics and real-time data analytics into their operations. There is also a focus on enhancing recycling capabilities to reduce dependence on volatile global supply chains. This push toward technological advancement comes as a response to the industry...

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• 10. Print Advertising Distribution in the US

  Business Environment Risk for 2025: 7

  In recent years, the print advertising distribution industry has transformed its strategy by integrating print media with digital solutions to remain relevant. Companies are increasingly pairing physical mailers and catalogs with QR codes and personalized URLs, creating multi-channel campaigns that maximize engagement and offer measurable performance data. These innovations not only foster better customer relationships but also allow brands to combine the credibility of print with the reach a...

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