Small Biz Owners Predict Strong 4Q

Small business owners across the nation are decidedly upbeat about the fourth quarter, with predictions of higher sales and a better economy, as well as plans to expand inventories and obtaining credit more easily.
According to October's Business Optimism Index from the National Federation of Independent Business, small business owners' optimism resulted in a four-point jump in the NFIB index, to 103.7.

"The job creation outlook is very good and the fourth quarter should produce solid employment gains," said NFIB chief economist William Dunkelberg about the October poll. "More firms plan to create new jobs than at any time since the dot-com boom."

Six of 10 NFIB index components rose during the month. Rising some 21 points, to 38 percent, was the net percent of owners expecting higher real sales. Gaining 11 points to a net 14 percent were owners who forecasted a better economy ahead.
Nearly one-fifth of those surveyed reported adding employees in October, compared with 8 percent who trimmed their employment rolls.

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