Index of Small Business Optimism Declined in November

Nashville, TN, December 9, 2015—The Index of Small Business Optimism fell 1.3 points in November, dropping to 94.8, after three months of no change of any significance, said the National Federation of Independent Business.

Still well below the 42-year average, the Index continues to signal a “plodding” economy, responding to population growth and a growing replacement need as the capital stock ages.

Auto sales remain strong, sold and serviced by small businesses, but produced by large manufacturers.

The services sector has been showing more life, a small business domain, while manufacturing has faded.

Growth in the fourth quarter is likely to come in between 2% and 2.5%.