by Calculated Risk on 1/14/2014 09:55:00 AM

From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): Small Businesses Optimism Increases in December

Small-business optimism ended the year slightly up from November at 93.9, but below the previous 3 mid-year readings of over 94 and 6 points below the pre-recession average, according to the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB’s) latest index. On the positive front, reports of capital spending rose significantly in December, increasing by 9 points from November and job creation among NFIB firms was the best since February 2006.
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Owners increased employment by an average of 0.24 workers in December, the best reading since February 2006.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the small business optimism index since 1986. The index increased to 39.9 in December from 92.5 in November.  

Another positive: During the recession, the single most important problem was "poor sales".  The percentage of owners naming "poor sales" has fallen significantly to 14 percent, and small business owners are once again complaining about taxes and government - this is what they complain about in good times!