New surveys show signs of optimism among small business owners

2 days, 2 hours ago

What changes should small businesses be aware of for 2025?

For small businesses, the biggest change in the new year will be the arrival of a presumably more business-friendly administration in Washington. Among them: changes to state-level overtime and minimum wage rules, the delayed federal FinCEN registration, taxes on payments from third-party providers like Venmo and PayPal, and anything that might affect inflation, including tariffs. “What we’ve seen for the …

Business Inflation Small Business Trump Small Businesses 2025 Federal

1 week, 3 days ago

Japan business survey shows slight improvement in outlook for manufacturers

Associated Press

BANGKOK — A quarterly survey by Japan’s central bank shows business sentiment has improved slightly, especially in major heavy industries such as automaking, fossil fuels and machinery, while services industries were less upbeat. The survey released Friday by the Bank of Japan, called the tankan, might influence the central bank’s decision on whether to raise its benchmark interest rate next …

Japan Japanese

2 weeks ago

Business confidence tumbles to two-year low following Reeves’s raid on employers

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Confidence among business leaders has …

Business Budget Month Businesses Reeves Sign Low

2 weeks, 4 days ago

Fed Beige Book Shows Businesses Confident in Demand Prospects

Live Mint

-- Economic activity increased slightly in November after little change in preceding months, and US businesses grew more upbeat about demand prospects, the Federal Reserve said in its latest Beige Book survey. “Though growth in economic activity was generally small, expectations for growth rose moderately across most geographies and sectors,” according to the report published Wednesday in Washington. Consumer spending …

Growth Fed Demand Prospects Beige Book

3 weeks, 5 days ago

Third of small business owners considering calling it quits

NL Times

Almost a third of small business owners and self-employed persons are considering closing down or selling their businesses. Self-employed persons without staff dread stricter regulations, especially around false self-employment, the Financieele Dagblad reports from the Small Business Index by Hogeschool Utrecht, Qredits, and Ondermend Nederland. A third of small business owners say they would look for a job if they …

Business Small Business Owners Small Business Owners Owners Considering

3 weeks, 6 days ago

US consumers see greater optimism in November on jobs boost

Hindustan Times

US consumer confidence improved in November, according to survey data released Tuesday, boosted by greater optimism surrounding the labor market. US Consumers were “substantially more optimistic” about job availability in the future, which reached its highest level in around three years, she added. "November's increase was mainly driven by more positive consumer assessments of the present situation, particularly regarding the …

Consumer Consumers

3 weeks, 6 days ago

US consumer confidence ticks higher on better outlook for hiring

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Americans’ outlook on the economy improved modestly in November, lifted by expectations for lower inflation and more hiring. Rising consumer confidence suggests Americans may spend more in the coming months, which would help boost economic growth. The Conference Board doesn’t break out its responses by party, but another measure of consumer sentiment by the University of Michigan showed …

Consumer Confidence Consumer Confidence Ticks Confidence Ticks

1 month ago

Starting a small business is hard. Exiting can be even harder, but planning early is the key

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Starting a small business is hard. Small business owners say it is best to have a plan well in advance of making a big change like ceding a business to someone else. “So then we sort of started trying to think about how we could engineer that and and really got serious about it about a year …

Business Plan Started Small Owner Roach Small Business Owners

1 month ago

Small businesses are hurting at the worst possible time

CNN

Washington CNN — Enjou Chocolat, a small business in Morristown, New Jersey, is still feeling the pain of inflation these days — from soaring cocoa prices to increased labor expenses. Like everyday consumers, small businesses have also felt inflation’s wrath over the years — and they remain angry about it, according to monthly surveys from the National Federation of Independent …

Business Holiday Inflation Prices Small Businesses Price Businesses

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Japan's central bank survey underpins optimism about growth

Hindustan Times

TOKYO — Business sentiment among Japan’s large manufacturers stood unchanged in the latest quarter from the previous quarter, according to a closely watched survey called “tankan” released Tuesday. Japan's central bank survey underpins optimism about growth The Bank of Japan survey put the benchmark index at plus-13 for the July-September quarter, the same from the previous survey conducted for April-June. …

Japan Bank Survey Rate

2 months, 4 weeks ago

The Chancellor's screeching U-turn from doom-monger to breezy optimist smacks of cynical opportunism, writes ALEX BRUMMER

Daily Mail

The change of heart is so brazen it takes the breath away. Instead of embracing an economy that has been growing fast in the first half of the year as the shocks of Covid-19 and Russia’s war on Ukraine dissipated, Rachel Reeves instead instilled fear and apprehension about the future with her dire warnings Stirring stuff, which continued in her …

Business Labour Budget Pay Confidence Fear Reeves

3 months ago

Small firms enjoy fastest sales and profits growth for over two years – report

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s small business sector is …

Growth Small Businesses West Report Quarter Small Firms Business Sector

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Business confidence has surged in July, reports shows

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The latest Bank of Scotland business barometer shows business …

Bank Confidence Scotland Sign Business Confidence Businesses Month

4 months, 3 weeks ago

American consumers feeling more confident in July as expectations of future improve

Associated Press

American consumers felt more confident in July as expectations over the near-term future rebounded. “Even though consumers remain relatively positive about the labor market, they still appear to be concerned about elevated prices and interest rates, and uncertainty about the future; things that may not improve until next year,” said Dana Peterson, The Conference Board’s chief economist. The number of …

Interest Rates Fed Rates Interest Rate Consumers

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Small stocks are about to take over? Wall Street has heard that before.

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Suddenly, smaller stocks seem to be making bigger noise on Wall Street. Investors pumped $9.9 billion into funds focused on small U.S. stocks last week, the largest amount since 2007, according to strategists at Deutsche Bank. Some of the boost for small stocks may have come from rising expectations for a Republican sweep in November’s elections, following …

Stocks Interest Rates Fed Rates Small Wall Street Smaller Stocks

6 months ago

Business owners increasingly worry about payment fraud, survey finds

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Small businesses are increasingly concerned about payment fraud. “With the introduction of new technology over the last several years, small businesses are some of the many that have fallen victim to fraudulent activity,” said Mike Walters, President of Business Banking at KeyBank. Aside from fraud, the survey found that the top three anticipated economic challenges in coming …

Business Fraud Small Business Owners Payment Fraud

6 months, 2 weeks ago

What are Labour’s plans for small businesses and what are others saying?

The Independent

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Labour also wants to stamp out late payment of invoices to small businesses by …

Business Energy Labour Small Business Small Businesses Businesses Rates

7 months, 1 week ago

European companies are less upbeat about China’s vast market as its economy slows

Associated Press

BEIJING — China is actively seeking foreign investment to boost its slowing growth, but that very sluggishness is weighing on company plans to expand their businesses in the world’s second largest economy, an annual survey of more than 500 European companies found. “The business outlook is the most pessimistic yet, with companies’ expectations for growth and profitability taking a hit, …

Europe Growth Investment Companies China Business European Eskelund

8 months, 1 week ago

Business boom: Record numbers of people are starting up new small businesses

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Record numbers of people are starting new businesses, and more and more of them are women and minorities, according to a new study. More than 5 million applications were filed in 2021 and 2022 and a record 5.5 million new business applications were filed in 2023. Black entrepreneurs made up 6% of new business owners in 2023, …

Small Business Record Numbers New Business Owners

8 months, 3 weeks ago

Small business hiring woes show signs of easing as economy stays strong

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Hiring woes may be easing for small businesses. The CBIZ Small Business Employment Index reported a seasonally adjusted increase of 0.17% in February as the U.S. economy stays strong despite high interest rates. The CBIZ index tracks hiring among thousands of companies with 300 or fewer employees across the U.S. AP AUDIO: Small business hiring woes show …

Business Small Businesses Small Cbiz Hiring Woes

10 months, 1 week ago

Consumer sentiment edges higher as economic growth accelerates and inflation fades

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A measure of consumer sentiment ticked higher this month, after soaring in December and January, underscoring that Americans are starting to feel better about the economy after several years of gloom. Still, consumer sentiment remains 6% below its long-run average after the worst spike in inflation in four decades pushed up the cost of groceries, rent, gas, and …

Consumer Democrats Month Measure Republicans Sentiment Edges Consumer Sentiment

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Opinion: Budget 2024 - Optimism scores over the sting of inflation

India Today

Before we delve deeper into the details of the exclusive CVoter survey of Indian consumers on the eve of the Interim Budget 2024-25, let’s highlight just one data point that reaffirms the view of various pundits and opinion polls that the Narendra Modi regime is in pole position to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In 2024, close to 46 …

Inflation Budget Optimism Income Lok Sabha Survey 2024

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Urban consumer confidence stable, optimism in income levels | Data

The Hindu

Just before the festive season in November, consumer confidence remained stable, according to the November 2023 edition of the Reserve Bank of India’s bi-monthly Consumer Confidence Survey. In November 2023, 33.1% of the respondents said that the general economic situation had improved compared to a year ago. In November 2023, only 44.4% said that the economic situation had worsened compared …

Consumer Confidence Income Survey 2023 Chart Views Situation

1 year ago

Germany’s economy seen shrinking again in the current quarter as business confidence declines

Associated Press

BERLIN — Germany’s economy is likely to shrink again slightly in the current fourth quarter, the country’s central bank said Monday, while a survey showed business confidence retreating unexpectedly. The Bundesbank said in its monthly report that “real gross domestic product in Germany is likely to decline again slightly in the fourth quarter of 2023” as a result of weak …

Business Economy Germany Month German Business Confidence Confidence Survey

1 year, 4 months ago

Skepticism prevails as Chinese leaders promise to back private businesses to spur slowing economy

Firstpost

A survey by the British Chamber of Commerce in China found 70% of foreign companies want “greater clarity” before making new investments. “They feel safer holding onto their savings instead of spending them.” Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is making ambitious promises to drag the economy out of that crisis of confidence aggravated by tension with Washington, wilting exports, job …

Real Estate China Party Companies Chinese Beijing Cai

1 year, 4 months ago

Skepticism prevails as Chinese leaders promise to back private businesses to spur slowing economy

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “They feel safer holding onto their savings instead …

Real Estate China Party Companies Chinese Beijing Cai

1 year, 5 months ago

US consumers are feeling the most optimistic since September 2021

CNN

Washington, DC CNN — Inflation’s steady slowdown in recent months has kept Americans feeling optimistic about the future. Despite the Federal Reserve’s most aggressive rate-hiking campaign in decades, which was put on hold last month, the labor market has held remarkably steady while inflation has slowed, raising the odds of a so-called soft landing — or a scenario in which …

Inflation Fed Consumers Dimon Recent Months Recession

1 year, 8 months ago

Small business owners feel the credit crunch

Associated Press

NEW YORK — When Nat West, owner of cider-making company Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider, decided to supplement his wholesale business by opening a taproom in a bustling neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, he thought getting financing would be a breeze. Following the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, some lenders – particularly the small and midsize banks that …

Business Credit Interest Rates Small Businesses West Businesses Rates

1 year, 8 months ago

US small businesses face worst credit in a decade after SVB collapse

Hindustan Times

More US small businesses reported having greater difficulty getting a loan in March after multiple bank failures led to a further tightening of credit conditions. A net 9% of owners who borrow frequently said financing was harder to get compared to three months earlier, the most since December 2012, according to a survey. A net 9% of owners who borrow …

Small Businesses Owners Small Months

1 year, 9 months ago

Indian firms most downbeat among global peers on profitability outlook

Live Mint

Indian firms are among the most downbeat globally on profitability outlook, showed S&P Global's latest India Business Outlook survey. The net balance figure is calculated by deducting the percentage number of survey respondents expecting a deterioration/decrease in a variable over the next twelve months from the percentage number of survey respondents expecting an improvement/increase. Anecdotal evidence indicated that inflation concerns …

Survey Indian Firms Downbeat Global

1 year, 10 months ago

Optimism is back but inflation casts a shadow

Live Mint

The year 2022 was the first one with a semblance of normalcy after the covid-19 pandemic. The share of respondents who see a drop in earnings in the coming year stood in single digits for the first time since 2020. However, note that around 54% of respondents still find a job-hunt “difficult"—a reminder that India’s jobs crisis is far from …

India Job Survey Round Indians Respondents

1 year, 11 months ago

Small businesses to tackle long list of challenges in 2023

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Small businesses face a mix of old and new challenges as 2023 begins. “We want the unemployment level to increase because if it does, wage growth will slow, and not only is there no evidence that’s happening, if anything wage growth is about to get rocket fuel this time of year when wages go up,” said David …

Labor Inflation Workers Minimum Wage Gig Workers Small Businesses 2023

2 years ago

Chinese business confidence lowest in almost a decade: survey

The Hindu

China's business confidence hit its lowest level since at least January 2013, a survey by World Economics showed on Monday, reflecting the impact of surging COVID-19 cases on economic activity and hinting at possible recession next year. The index fell to 48.1 in December from 51.8 in November, showed the World Economics' survey of sales managers at over 2,300 companies …

China Survey Chinese Covid Confidence Lowest Showed Business World Economics

2 years, 1 month ago

Business confidence declines in Q3 and unemployment rises

Dutch News

Business confidence in the Netherlands slipped into negative territory at beginning of the fourth quarter, for the first time since early 2021, national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday. In particular, the hospitality sector was negative about the economic climate but companies across all sectors see a downturn, the CBS said. At the same time, the CBS said there has …

Cbs Business Confidence

2 years, 1 month ago

Business confidence declines in Q3 and unemployment rises

Dutch News

Business confidence in the Netherlands slipped into negative territory at beginning of the fourth quarter, for the first time since early 2021, national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday. In particular, the hospitality sector was negative about the economic climate but companies across all sectors see a downturn, the CBS said. At the same time, the CBS said there has …

Cbs Business Confidence

2 years, 1 month ago

Business confidence slumps to lowest level since 2009

The Telegraph

Business confidence has plunged to its lowest level in 13 years as Britain braces for what could be its longest recession on record. A new study from Accenture and S&P Global found that optimism among UK businesses fell by 10pc in October to the lowest it has been since 2009, amid spiralling costs and a tough labour market. Accenture’s Simon …

British Business Confidence Uk Businesses

2 years, 1 month ago

American consumer confidence takes a hit in October

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence waned this month as concerns about inflation took hold after receding somewhat in recent months. The business research group’s present situation index — which measures consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions — fell sharply to 138.9 from 150.2 in September. The board’s expectations index — a measure of consumers’ six-month outlook for …

Consumer Month Fed Franco

2 years, 1 month ago

German business confidence stuck at lowest since May 2020

Associated Press

BERLIN — German business confidence is stuck at its lowest level in more than two years as energy worries fuel expectations of a difficult winter, a closely watched survey showed Tuesday. The Ifo institute said its monthly confidence index, a prominent health indicator for Europe’s biggest economy, edged down to 84.3 points in October from 84.4 last month. That’s the …

German Ifo Survey

2 years, 3 months ago

'Chasm' between weak consumers and booming businesses widens. How and when will it close?

ABC

Australian households are feeling "deeply pessimistic", but they are still spending money and business confidence keeps booming. Key points: Business confidence has risen for the third month in a row Households are deeply pessimistic, but they are still spending RBA unlikely to stop lifting interest rates until consumer spending slows Economists say it is hard to ignore how differently households …

Consumer Confidence Interest Rates Conditions Month Rate Businesses

2 years, 3 months ago

As small businesses raise prices, some customers push back

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Inflation isn’t only costing small businesses money. “He said I’m going to start making coffee at home, I need to budget, so I won’t be coming in here every day,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been on a goodbye campaign.” Inflation has been rising at nearly the fastest pace in 40 years, driven up by strong …

Business Costs Prices Small Businesses Price Small Higher

2 years, 3 months ago

Small businesses feel the pinch from slowing housing market

Associated Press

NEW YORK — The chill in the housing market is rippling out to the carpenters, landscapers and other small businesses that lose out when fewer homeowners are renovating their properties. Chris Doyle, CEO and co-founder of Billd, a construction finance company, said small businesses should be aware of what’s going on in their market and consider pivoting to different types …

Market Housing Market Projects Small Businesses Price Charlotte Curbio

2 years, 4 months ago

Small businesses warn of ‘existential threat’ posed by £20,000 energy bills

The Telegraph

Small businesses face an “existential threat” from soaring energy bills, industry leaders have warned, with thousands at threat of closure unless the new prime minister offers aid before winter. “The new electricity and gas quotes, contracts, and bills that have landed on many small business inboxes in recent weeks and months contain, in black and white, numbers which add up …

Business Small Businesses Businesses Small Energy Bills

2 years, 4 months ago

Business confidence rises with strong profits, but consumers are getting more pessimistic

ABC

There is a stark difference in mood in the economy. Key points: Consumers are deeply pessimistic, but still spending Business confidence has improved However, economists think spending will start to drop as interest rate increases bite Businesses are enjoying prosperous conditions with high profits and rising confidence, but consumer sentiment has fallen into deeply negative territory. "As such, we expect …

Business Consumer Economic Consumer Confidence Confidence Interest Spending

2 years, 4 months ago

Consumers confidence slides for third straight month in July

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence slid again in July higher prices for food, gas and just about everything else continued to weigh on Americans. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell to 95.7 in July from 98.4 in June, largely due to consumer anxiety over the current economic conditions, particularly four-decade high inflation. U.S. inflation surged …

Consumer

2 years, 4 months ago

Small businesses lose customers as inflation crisis forces them to hike prices

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. However, 26 per cent of …

Business Costs Prices Small Businesses Price Cent Small

2 years, 5 months ago

Consumer confidence ‘severely depressed’ amid soaring food and fuel prices

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Consumer Consumer Confidence Confidence Sign Consumers Deloitte Minus

2 years, 5 months ago

Add rent to the rising costs bedeviling small businesses

Associated Press

NEW YORK — The rent has come due for America’s small businesses and at a very inopportune time. “Many small businesses are still frankly recovering from whatever the last phase of COVID was,” said Chuck Casto, head of corporate communications at Alignable. It’s made it difficult for small businesses to really make a go of it.” Ris Lacoste owns a …

Business Landlord Pay Small Businesses New York Businesses Small

2 years, 6 months ago

Economy ‘running on empty’ amid growing signs of looming recession, report warns

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s economy appears to be …

Business Sign Pmi Recession

2 years, 6 months ago

Small businesses are facing ‘summer of uncertainty’

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Small businesses that depend on outdoor crowds and free-spending tourists aren’t sure what to expect this summer. “It’s a summer of uncertainty,” said Ray Keating, chief economist with advocacy group the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. It’s a tough mix.” Jack Morey’s family has owned and operated Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks, three boardwalk amusement parks …

Business Travel Summer Broadway Prices Small Businesses Clark

New surveys show signs of optimism among small business owners

Discover Related