by Calculated Risk on 12/10/2013 08:50:00 AM

From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): Small Businesses Optimism Up Slightly

Owner sentiment increased by 0.9 points to 92.5 ... Over half of the improvement was accounted for by the labor market components which is certainly good news, lifting them closer to normal levels.

Fifty-one percent of the owners hired or tried to hire in the last three months and 44 percent reported few or no qualified applicants for open positions. This is the highest level of hiring activity since October 2007.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the small business optimism index since 1986. The index increased to 92.5 in November from 91.6 in October.  

Another positive: During the recession, the single most important problem was "poor sales".  The percentage of owners naming "poor sales" has fallen significantly, and small business owners are once again complaining about taxes and government - this is what they complain about in good times!