Small business optimism jumped higher in April as expectations for better earnings and hiring improved.
The National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index rose to 103.5 last month, the highest level of the year. Economists had expected a rise smaller rise to 102.4 from the prior 101.8.
“America’s small and independent businesses are rebounding from the first quarter ‘shut down, slow down’ and don’t appear to be looking back,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita D. Duggan.
Almost every aspect of the survey showed improvement, including expectations for earnings, hiring, and business expansion. Plans to increase capital spending, however, were flat from last month but still very much in positive territory.
There were no signs that trade tensions or the tariffs on China that went into effect at the end of last year are hurting small businesses.
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