3/14/2018
By Charles Payne, CEO & Principal Analyst

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released its February report, and it’s a barnburner. Optimism is at its second highest level ever, only trailing the 108.0 reading in 1983 and earnings at highest point since 1987.

Fewer Small Business Hurdles

Taxes as the ‘single most important problem’ declined to its lowest voting level since 2006. The quality of labor continues to be a huge problem that will require a combination of public and private efforts to bring up to snuff. 

Outlook

• The biggest move came in ‘expecting real sales higher,’ +3 percentage points to 28%
• The biggest overall confidence in ‘expect economy to improve,’ +2 percentage points to 43%

“Small business owners are telling us loud and clear that they’re optimistic, ready to hire, and prepared to raise wages – it’s one of the strongest readings I’ve seen in the 45-year history of the Index…the fact that several components saw significant increases tells us that small businesses are flourishing in a way we haven’t seen in over a decade.”       -NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg

My Conclusion: Small business is the heartbeat of America, and it’s showing signs of a strong overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and jobs growth in 2018.

Charles Payne
Wall Street Strategies

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