The Independent Federation (NFIB), small business optimism, small business optimism index declares a decrease in small business optimism. Despite the rejection, this marked the fourth month of consecutive, the index was over 51 years of average. However, the index remains 4.4 points from the last peak of 105.1 mentioned in December. Meanwhile, the index of uncertainty rose to four points to 104, celebrating the highest reading.
“Uncertainty is high and rises on the main street and for many reasons,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Small business owners waiting for better working conditions in the next six months, staying well where the percentage of expanding the current period is in the second problem, behind the second problem is in the second place.”
Basic findings from the survey
- The net percentage of the owners waiting for the economy to improve net minus the net minus 37% (seasonal adjustable).
- The percentage of residents who look like a good time to expand the current period is 12%, the largest monthly reduction in 2020.
- The sixteen percent of the owners set inflation as the most important problem, a decrease in two-point decrease in two-point decrease in January, as a major concern.
- 32% of the owners have increased average sales prices, and in January, the 10-point increase and study increase in the history of study.
- During the next three months, a seasonal network of owners’ plan is a seasonally regulated network plans to collect three points in 11 months and three points in the highest level.
- The most important problem, the most important problem of the most important problem was 12%, the highest registered the highest registered level in December 2021.
Hiring problems and salary trends
The survey said that the continuation of difficulties between small enterprises is constant. In February, 38% of the workplaces they could not be filled in February, have been able to collect three points since February, and the highest reading of 2024, 53% and 89% of the qualified applicants.
Small business owners plan to create 15% of the net in the next three months, the three-point decrease in January. Labor quality remains the best problem for business owners, a point rises to 19%, and exceeds inflation as a leading issue.
Seasonally adjustable, 33% of owners, 33% of the unchanged compensation since January, planned to increase compensation in the next three months, and two points were collected in January.
Capital costs and sales performance
Capital expenditures between small business owners are continuously, and 58% of the last six months will not change since January. Among those who have expenses:
- 37% invested in new equipment.
- 30% purchased vehicles.
- 13% Extended or improved objects.
- 12% spent new devices and furniture.
- 5. Land for new buildings or expansion achieved by 5%.
The percentage of owners planning capital expenditures in the next six months has decreased to 19%.
Some weakening of sales trends, a number of weakening reporting higher nominal sales in the last three months, reported two points lower than January. The net percentage of the owners expecting higher real sales decreased by six points to 14% with a second monthly drop.
Inventory and Financing Terms
The level of inventory remains stable, the net minus 6% is 6% of inventory income, which is unchanged in January. The percentage of owners planning in inventory invested in one point in one point decreased by minus 1%.
The financing conditions showed a minimum change. Net in small business owners, as of January 2022, the lowest readings from January and the lowest reading, the lowest job, and 4% of the net, the highest rate of the last loan was highest.
New business health evaluation
For the first time, NFIB presented a new question that evaluates how small business owners look at the overall health of the work. According to the survey:
- 11% of the work of work excellent.
- 55% said it well.
- 27% described it well.
- 6% classified business health as bad.
NFIB Small Business Economic Trends Report has been held quarterly and monthly in 1986 in 1973.
