New York (AP) – The owners of small businesses felt more uncertain of the future in January, while they continue to face the challenges of work and persistent inflation.
According to a monthly survey of small businesses of the National Federation of Independent Companies, the uncertainty index in January increased from 14 points to 100 – the highest third reading recorded, after two months of decline. The NFIB said that small businesses feel less confident to invest in their business due to uncertain commercial conditions in the coming months.
The answer reflects the global confidence of consumers, February in FebruaryThe greatest monthly drop of more than four years, inflation apparently stuck and a trade war under President Donald Trump considered by an increasing number of Americans as inevitable.
In the NFIB survey, optimism fell 2.3 points in January to 102.8, but remained high. Optimism increased after the presidential electionAnd the index has always exceeded the average of 51 years of 98 for the third consecutive month.
“Overall, owners of small businesses remain optimistic about future commercial conditions, but uncertainty is increasing,” said NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg. “The challenges of hiring continue to frustrate the owners of the main street when they find it difficult to find qualified workers to fill their many open positions. Meanwhile, less investment in plan capital as they are preparing for the coming months. »»
Eighteen percent of the owners indicated that inflation was their most important problem in the operation of their business, down two points compared to December and corresponding to the quality of work as the first issue.
Work remains a headache. A 35% seasonally adjusted from all small business owners said that job offers could not fill in January, unchanged from December. Of the 52% of owners hiring or trying to hire in January, 90% said little or any qualified candidate for the positions they were trying to fill.
And less small businesses provide capital investments to extend their business. Twenty percent of the capital’s capital expenses in the next six months, down seven percentage points compared to December.