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Free AccessUS NFIB Survey: December Optimism Index -2.6 to 104.9 - Text
WASHINGTON (MNI) - The following are excerpts from the National Federation
of Independent Business' monthly Small Business Optimism index published
Tuesday:
Small business confidence blasted off the day after the 2016 election and
remained in the stratosphere for all of 2017, making last year an all-time
record setter for the NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism, released today.
"2017 was the most remarkable year in the 45-year history of the NFIB
Optimism Index," said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. "With a massive tax
cut this year, accompanied by significant regulatory relief, we expect very
strong growth, millions more jobs, and higher pay for Americans."
The Optimism Index for last month came in at 104.9, slightly lower than the
near-record November report but still a historically exceptional performance.
That makes 2017 the strongest year ever in the history of the survey. The
average monthly Index for 2017 was 104.8. The previous record was 104.6, set in
2004.
"We've been doing this research for nearly half a century, longer than
anyone else, and I've never seen anything like 2017," said NFIB Chief Economist
Bill Dunkelberg. "The 2016 election was like a dam breaking. Small business
owners were waiting for better policies from Washington, suddenly they got them,
and the engine of the economy roared back to life."
Two of the December components posted gains, five declined, and three
remained unchanged. Moving the Index moderately lower were declines in Expected
Better Business Conditions (11-point decline) which tends to fluctuate sharply
and Inventory Plans (8-point decline). Small business owners were bedeviled by a
labor shortage in 2017 that grew more intense as optimism rose. The NFIB Jobs
Report last week showed that problem reaching record levels.
Offsetting the dip in Expected Better Business Conditions was a
dramatic,14-point improvement in Actual Sales for December. In November, a net
negative five percent of all firms reported sales increases. A net nine percent
reported higher sales in December, indicating a very strong holiday season for
small business.
"There's a critical shortage of qualified workers and it's becoming a real
cost driver for small businesses," said Dunkelberg. "They are raising
compensation for workers in order to attract and keep good employees, but that's
a positive indicator for the overall economy."
Driving record optimism in 2017 was the expectation of better economic
policies from Washington. Suspending the regulatory assault on business and now
a massive tax cut answered two of the three top concerns for small business
owners, according to NFIB research.
"The lesson of 2017 is that better policies make for better economic
results," said Duggan. "The evidence is overwhelming that small business owners
pay close attention to Washington, and that federal policies affect their
decisions on whether to hire, whether to invest, whether to grow inventory, and
whether to seek capital."
Optimism Components: Seas Adj Level % Change
PLANS TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT 20 -4
PLANT TO MAKE CAPITAL OUTLAYS 27 1
PLANS TO INCREASE INVENTORIES -1 -8
EXPECT ECONOMY TO IMPROVE 37 -11
EXPECT RETAIL SALES HIGHER 28 -6
CURRENT INVENTORY -2 0
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS 31 1
EXPECTED CREDIT CONDITIONS -4 0
NOW A GOOD TIME TO EXPAND 27 0
EARNINGS TRENDS -15 -5
TOTAL CHANGE -- -30
--MNI Washington Bureau; tel: +1 202-371-2121; email: kevin.kastner@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: MTABLE,MAUDS$,M$U$$$]
To read the full story
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Why MNI
MNI is the leading provider
of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.