Research >> Economics
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index up to 90.6
The Index of Small Business Optimism gained 3.8 points, rising to 90.6, barely exceeding the “90 barrier”. Pessimism persists but the Index is finally out of the 80s, at least for one month. The April Index ended seven straight quarters of under 90 readings - a pyrrhic victory considering the mound of obstacles heading down Main Street from Washington, D.C. There is nothing magical about entering the 90s, other than in comparison to the 1980-82 period when only one quarterly reading fell below 90. While nine of the 10 Index components rose and one was unchanged from March, job creation and capital expenditure plans have not recovered. These gains are not enough to establish that a solid recovery is underway.
Posted: May 11, 2010 Tuesday 07:30 AM