Small Business Optimism Rises in December

Washington, DC, Jan. 11, 2012 -- Confidence among small-business owners increased again in December, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.

NFIB's small-business optimism index rose 1.8 points to 93.8 last month from 92.0 in November. It was the fourth consecutive increase.

Despite the recent gains, “the level of the index is consistent with weak growth,” NFIB which said.

“About half of the gain was due to reduced concerns about business conditions 6 months ahead and improved expectations for real sales gains,” said the NFIB report.

Expected business conditions in the next six months rose 4 percentage points to -8% in December, and the expected higher real sales subindex increased increased 5 points to 9%.