Small Business Optimism Continues Momentum
|Small Business Optimism rose 0.7 points to 107.6 in February, the second-highest reading in series history. Capital spending and rising compensation were bright spots in the report and indicate growth.
Small Businesses Ready to Grow
-
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.7 points to 107.6 in February. Strength was seen broadly across components of the index.
-
Capital spending outlays were reported by 66 percent of owners, the highest reading since 2004. Reports of increased compensation remained near a series high of 31 percent. These categories suggest owners are investing in their own growth.
Taxes vs. Quality of Labor
-
The newly-enacted tax policy has eased the burden of taxes on small business owners. The percent of owners reporting taxes as the most important problem plummeted 4 points to 15, the lowest level since 2006, and is no longer the most pressing issue.
-
Labor quality is now the largest issue for small business owners. The tight labor market has held back hiring. Difficulty finding and retaining quality workers has led to rising compensation.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.