Small Business Optimism Edges Upward

New York, NY, March 11, 2015—U.S. small business optimism edged up in February amid signs of tightening labor market conditions, bolstering the view that a recent slowdown in economic activity will be temporary, reports Reuters.

The National Federation of Independent Business said on Tuesday its Small Business Optimism Index gained 0.1 point to 98 last month, the third highest reading since early 2007.

According to Reuters, the survey of 716 small business owners found 29% could not fill open positions, the highest level since April 2006. Fourteen percent of them cited the shortage of skilled labor as their top problem, the highest since September 2007.