by Calculated Risk on 5/13/2014 01:25:00 PM

From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) earlier this morning: NFIB: Optimism Improves, But Don't Get Too Excited

April’s Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.8 points to a post-recession high of 95.2. The economy continues to perform modestly and April’s index followed suit as it crossed the 95 marker for the first time since 2007. ...

Labor Markets. NFIB owners increased employment by an average of 0.07 workers per firm in April (seasonally adjusted), weaker than March but the seventh positive month in a row and the best string of gains since 2006.
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the small business optimism index since 1986.

The index increased to 95.2 in April from 93.4 in March.