Small Business Confidence Rises Against a Wall of Worry

Summary The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.2 points to 98.4 in November. At 98.4, the index remains slightly above its long-run average. The strength is a bit misleading, however. Four of the 10 index components rose during the month, four declined and two were unchanged. While many small businesses, such as those tied to construction, manufacturing and logistics, remain exceptionally strong, and many high-contact service providers are still grappling with the greatest staffing challenges they have ever faced. Inflation is a growing concern for all small businesses and supply chain disruptions continue to bedevil many firms. The NFIB Uncertainty Index fell four points in November but remains historically high at 63. READ FULL ARTICLE>>