Small Business News You Can Use (3/14)

Retail sales post best gain in 5 months

The Commerce Department said retail sales rose 1.1 percent last month, up from 0.6 percent in January, which was also revised upward. Economists had expected a gain of 1.0 percent in February. More...


Job openings slipped slightly in January

The number has risen since the end of the recession, but still has a long way to go

The number of jobs waiting to be filled dropped slightly in January, the government said on Tuesday.

There were 3.46 million available jobs at the end of January, down from an upwardly revised 3.54 million in December, according to the Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. More...


Let us help you find funding solutions for your small business or ag operation. CP Capital Solutions.


Small-business optimism up for sixth consecutive month

Small-business optimism inched up again in February, according to a key industry index, reaching its highest point in a year.

The National Federation of Independent Business’s (NFIB) small-business-optimism index reached 94.3 in February, the group said Tuesday, an increase of 0.4 points from the previous month. More...


Unemployment rate drops in 45 states

Only one state's — New York — unemployment rate rose in January, a month in which the economy showed strong job growth.

The Labor Department also said Tuesday that 45 states and Washington, D.C., including most swing states in this year’s presidential election, had decreases in their unemployment rates, while four states showed no change. More...


Have a profitable day!