The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported that its small-business optimism index for the month of January rose to 93.9, up just 0.1 from December’s reading. That’s slightly lower than the index reading of 94.1 in January 2011.
The NFIB’s chief economist said:
The most positive statement that can be made about January’s reading is that the Index did not go down; a change of 0.1 points is essentially no change and it is hardly indicative of a surge in economic activity.
Net employment for the month remained essentially flat, and capital spending fell by 1% in January. The top business problem reported by owners is “poor sales.”
The NFIB press release is here.
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