Small Business Optimism Index decreased in December

CR Note: Most of this survey is noise, but there is some information, especially on the labor market and the "Single Most Important Problem".

From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): December 2018 Report: Small Business Optimism Index

The Small Business Optimism Index was basically unchanged in December, drifting down 0.4 points to 104.4. Job openings set a new record high, job creation plans strengthened, and inventory investment plans surged. On the downside, expected real sales growth and expected business conditions in six months accounted for the decline in the Index.
..
Job creation was solid in December with a net addition of 0.25 workers per firm (including those making no change in employment), up from 0.19 in November and the best reading since July. ... Twenty-three percent of owners cited the difficulty of finding qualified workers as their Single Most Important Business Problem, down 2 points from last month’s record high reading. Thirty-nine percent of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, up 5 points and a new record high. Labor markets are still exceptionally tight.

emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the small business optimism index since 1986.

The index decreased to 104.4 in December.

Note: Usually small business owners complain about taxes and regulations (currently 2nd and 3rd on the "Single Most Important Problem" list).  However, during the recession, "poor sales" was the top problem. Now the difficulty of finding qualified workers is the top problem.