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Survey of small businesses finds slight optimism, but also a lot of uncertainty

Oct 8, 2024
The September National Federation of Independent Business survey saw its sentiment index rise 0.3 points, but it was still well below the historic average.
Home builders are feeling more optimistic now that interest rates have stared to fall.
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Small businesses are just as grumpy about the economy as consumers

Aug 13, 2024
Optimism has increased, but it's still below a 50-year average, a National Federation of Independent Business survey shows.
For a lot of business owners, this high inflation is stressful to navigate, says Holly Wade of the NFIB.
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Small businesses are apprehensive these days

Jun 11, 2024
The NFIB reports a spike in its uncertainty index, perhaps triggered by thrifty consumers and the upcoming election.
The feeling of certainty about future business conditions has waned among merchants, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.
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Small business optimism ticked down in November

Dec 12, 2023
The National Association of Independent Business's small business optimism index has been below its historical average for nearly two years.
While the labor shortage have been easing, it's still a persistent issue for small businesses.
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Why are businesses pessimistic about the economy?

Sep 12, 2023
In August, for the 20th straight month, business owners scored their outlook below average.
Rising labor costs and the inflation of prices for necessary goods are two factors making business owners less optimistic.
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Nearly half of small businesses believe the economy won’t improve in the next 6 months

May 10, 2023
When it comes to sales, inventory, hiring, credit conditions and more, small business owners are wary.
An April survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent business found that owners are struggling with inflation and other macro-economic issues.
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Small business optimism shrinks as labor shortage, price hikes continue

Aug 10, 2021
Owners expect lower sales and worse business conditions in the coming months, reflected in the NFIB’s declining optimism index.
Though the economy is rebounding from the COVID-19 downdraft, small-business owners expect near-term business conditions to worsen.
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Survey finds small business confidence at 8-month low

Feb 9, 2021
And the percentage of owners expecting better conditions fell to the lowest level since November 2013, the NFIB finds.
If business owners can hang on, they may benefit from pent-up demand as consumers anticipate spending more in the year ahead.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Small businesses don't see much cause for optimism

Jan 12, 2021
Just 3% say they're feeling bullish enough to borrow money, despite interest rates near historic lows.
A "Closed" sign at a nail salon in Virginia. Small business optimism is at a seven-month low as the pandemic continues to rage across the U.S.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Small business optimism overall is way up, but not for all owners

Oct 13, 2020
A survey from the NFIB finds optimism at pre-pandemic levels, but not necessarily for businesses in the service sector like restaurants and retail shops.
Small businesses in the services sector have a more bleak outlook as they continue to navigate COVID restrictions.
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