Small businesses were slightly more optimistic in October, as the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism index edged up to 94.9 from 94.1 in September, the group announced Tuesday.
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"The data contained in this report shows record levels of uncertainty among small business owners, and it is tied directly to the election," NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan said in a statement. "The result is economic inertia, with business owners unwilling to make the business decisions that would jumpstart the economy."
Half of the index's 10 components rose, three fell and two held in October.
Many respondents cited taxes or regulations and red tape as their single most important business problem.
