The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has released its monthly index on small business optimism, and the gain, though small, marks the sixth straight month of improvement. The index reading of 94.3 is 0.4 points higher than the January reading. The consensus estimate had been for a rise to 95.
Business owners are more optimistic about sales growth and less optimistic about business conditions. The lack of faith in conditions is tied directly to high gasoline prices. As consumers dig deeper to pay for gasoline, they are left with less to spend on other purchases.
According to the survey, 1 in 5 business owners plans to raise prices in the next few months, which will tend to drive core inflation higher even as personal consumption expenditures rise with the cost of gasoline. The NFIB does not expect first quarter growth to match fourth quarter 2011 growth, but the group does expect to continue the positive trend.
The NFIB report is available here.
ALERT: Take This Retirement Quiz Now (Sponsored)
Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
