Small Business Optimism Was Up a Bit in April: NFIB

Small business owners were more optimistic in April than in March as the small business optimism index rose to 94.5 from 92.5, the National Federation of Independent Business said Tuesday.

The index is at the same level it was on February 2011.

“While March did not post strong job-creation numbers, labor market indicators did improve, suggesting better job growth in the next few months,” the NFIB said.

The report showed profits and sales strengthening, both reaching the best numbers since April 2007. Job creation fell, but was still a positive number, according to the report. Businesses are concerned about inflation, with more than one-quarter of respondents raising prices in the past three months in response to rising costs of labor and materials.

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