Small businesses were increasingly optimistic in April, according to the National Federation of Independent Business' monthly Small Business Optimism index published Tuesday, which showed the index rose to 96.9 from 95.2 in March.
"Unfortunately, the Index remained below the January reading," the group said in a release. "Nine of the 10 Index components gained or were unchanged, only real sales expectations were weaker. But this still leaves the Index below its historical average, oscillating between 95 and 98 but never breaking out except for December, when the Index just tipped past 100, only to fall again."
"Optimism may have seen a slight jump from last month's weak numbers, but there was not an especially large gain in any area except for an improvement in profit trends," said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. "Small business owners are still wary of the future, and that's most evident when we asked them about future sales."
