Optimism

Small business optimism remains high by historical standards according to the latest data from the National Federation of Independent Business.  Their small business index rose to 102.4, an uptick of 0.6 point.  This increase was fairly pervasive as eight of the ten components rose. 

Small business optimism stopped its recent decline in February 2019 according to the National Federation of Independent Business.  This index of 10 components rose 0.5 percentage point to 101.7 after falling for five consecutive months.  This mild uptick is a welcome reprieve from the recent trend.

Small business optimism continued riding high as the summer of 2018 heated up.  The optimism index from the National Federation of Independent Businesses reached its second highest level ever in July, rising to 107.9 from 107.2 in June; July 1983 (with a reading of 108.0) is the only period with a higher count in the survey’s 45-year history.