SmallBusinessNewz

Canadian small business owners felt more chipper in January than they did the month before, according to new statistics from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.  The data even indicates that a bit of economic growth might be on the menu.

Last month, the news was not so good - the Business Barometer Index fell to 63.7 (for December), down from 68.0.  Now, however, we're back up to 66.9, a level similar to those recorded between September and November of last year.

Ted Mallet, the CFIB's vice president of research and chief economist, observed that 66.9 is "equivalent to an expected GDP growth rate in the 2.0 per cent to 2.5 per cent range."

Mallet also wrote, "Confidence improved in 10 of 13 industry categories. The most optimistic business owners continue to be in professional and business services, along with healthcare and education services - the only sectors with index levels above 70."

Let's hope everybody else can catch up with them before long.  (Particularly folks in the agriculture, primary industries and restaurant and accommodation sectors, which are dragging in terms of optimism.)  It'd be nice to start out the new year with a positive trend.