by Calculated Risk on 8/14/2012 07:54:00 AM

From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): Small-Business Optimism Continues to Decline in July

Dipping for a second consecutive month, after ending several months of slow growth, the Small Business Optimism Index gave up 0.2 points, falling to 91.2. ... The Index has oscillated between 86.5 (July 2009) and 94.5 (February 2012) since the recession officially ended in June 2009. Prior to 2008, the Index averaged 100, well above the current reading.
...
While "poor sales" has been eclipsed by other concerns as the top business problem, it still remains the No.1 issue for 20 percent of owners surveyed (down from 23 percent).

Note: These survey results are based on a small sample and the commentary is getting more and more political (calling the 2000s the "best economy in history" is absurd), so I'm going to discontinue posting this survey.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the small business optimism index since 1986. The index decreased to 91.2 in July from 91.4 in June.

Note: Small businesses have a larger percentage of real estate and retail related companies than the overall economy. This index remains low, and once again, lack of demand is a huge problem for small businesses.