Small business optimism increased slightly in February, as the National Federation of Independent Business' monthly Small Business Optimism index gained 0.1-point to 98.0.
The gain came despite "rather slow economic activity and really bad weather in half the country," the survey said. "The good news is that job market indicators held up well, anticipating better job numbers and a lower unemployment rate. Reported capital spending improved and capital expenditure plans remained unchanged. The reverse was true for inventories where actual inventories remained unchanged from January and inventory plans improved. Unfortunately reported sales trends fell but, owners are still finding reasons to hire and spend which will eventually show up in the official statistics."
