Small Business Optimism Rises: NFIB

NFIB's small business index rose 8 tenths in October to 96.1 led by gains in capital spending plans and sales expectations. Current job openings are also on the rise. Lack of credit is not constraining NFIB's sample with those reporting problems with access to loans at a record low and an unusually high number saying they have no interest in borrowing.

Recent History Of This Indicator:
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in September fell to 95.3 from 96.1 in August. Sharp drops in current job openings and capital spending plans were the biggest factors pulling down the small business optimism index. Other negatives include earnings trends and the outlook for credit conditions. September's report was short on positives which did include, however, sentiment on expansion which, despite the decline in capital spending plans, showed a big improvement.