SmallBusinessNewz

Small Business Optimism Up Slightly In May

The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism gained 1.6 points in May with a reading of 92.2.Although not a strong sign of recovery, it's going in the right direction. It is the best reading since September 2008's 92.9 index that happened just before the five-point decline in October that started the deterioration in the fourth quarter of 2008. In May, seven of the 10 index categories rose, but job creation and capital expenditure plans barely made gains.

Economic Trends Report Points To Potential Upswing

Yesterday, on the drive home from work, a storm behind me made things in my rearview mirror look almost black.  Ahead, it was bright and sunny.  And small business owners seemed to have a similar perspective while contributing to the latest Small Business Economic Trends report.

Another Misnomer Of An Optimism Index Report

July just wasn't small business owners' month.  The National Federation of Independent Business has released its regular report documenting optimism (based on a number of less subjective components), and things were worse compared to June.

NFIB Optimism Index Hiccups

People who've been hoping that the recession was over may not want to break out the party hats just yet.  Although the Small Business Optimism Index had risen for a couple of months, the National Federation of Independent Business found that it slipped again in June.

Optimism Index Finally Takes Upward Turn

Good news, everyone: it sounds like the demand for antidepressants might have been a little lighter than usual in April.  For the first time in quite a while, the National Federation of Independent Business's Index of Small Business Optimism actually went up.

NFIB Optimism Index Continues Long Decline

Last month, when the National Federation of Independent Business released a report documenting small business owners' optimism, we tried to look on the positive side of the statistics.  This month, there's pretty much no option but to let the pessimists prevail.

This Month's NFIB Optimism Report Not All Bad

Optimists, rejoice - today, we're going to look on the bright side of life.  A new report from the NFIB isn't exactly cheery, but there are a few silver linings, and what's transpired since the period on which the report focuses is rather positive, too.

Optimism Index Takes Another Hit

Here's hoping whatever stimulus package eventually gets passed includes a price break on Prozac, because it seems small business owners are in need of the stuff.  The National Federation of Independent Business's Index of Small Business Optimism fell again in January.

NFIB Optimism Index Needs New Name

Well, it seems that the holidays did little to put the average small business owner in a positive mood.  The National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index fell in December, landing us in some decidedly spooky territory.

Small Business Optimism Index Stumbles

The good news - and this shouldn't be brushed off - is that we're not in "storm of the century" mode.  The bad news is that a new report from the National Federation of Independent Business indicates small business owners' optimism has reached the third-lowest point in 35 years.