Small Business Optimism

A tough month for small businesses as the reopening proves bumpier than initially expected.

Small business owners are feeling much more optimistic. The Small Business Optimism Index increased 6.2 points in June to 100.6, the National Federation of Independent Business said Tuesday. That beat expectations of 96.7 and was above even the high end

Even before the millions of layoffs and widespread lockdowns, optimism collapsed among America’s small business owners.

After a brief dip at the end of last year, small business optimism is rising again on expectations for better sales.

In contrast with the summer months of recession obsession, November saw small business optimism spike upward.

Plans for capital spending, inventory investment, and higher wages all rose in October.

“This is a confirmation that small business owners remain very optimistic about the economy despite all the talk about ‘slowing.'”|

In June, small business owners curbed spending, sales expectations and profits both fell, and plans for hiring declined.

“Optimism among small business owners has surged back to historically high levels” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita D. Duggan.

Small business optimism improved in April, with business owners feeling better about the economy, hiring, and earnings.

One of the foundations of the Trump-era economic expansion weakened again in January, the fifth straight month of decline.

Another sign that the economy came through the end of 2018 on a stronger footing than many expected.

The third monthly decline from a very elevated level of optimism.

Small business optimism hits its third highest level in the history of the NFIB’s index.

“Today’s groundbreaking numbers are demonstrative of what I’m hearing everyday from small business owners – that business is booming,” the NFIB’s president said Tuesday.