Small Business Optimism Improves Slightly

Washington, DC, January 13, 2016—Optimism among small business owners was slightly higher in December, though still below average, according to the NFIB’s latest Small Business Economic Trends report.

The Small Business Optimism index rose 0.4 points in December to 95.2, under the 42-year average of 98.

Small business hiring remained weak in December, with average hiring per small business declining to -0.07 workers from November’s .01 workers. Though 55% again reported hiring or attempting to hire workers, 48% found “few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.”

Additionally, 15% of small businesses reported that they used temporary workers, 1% lower than in November, and 28% of small business owners said they had “reported job openings they could not fill in the current period,” a 1% increase and the highest post-recession level.

When asked about future hiring, 15% said they plan to add jobs, a 4% increase.