Small Business, Consumer Confidence Up

Small business people are an optimistic bunch.  They must be optimistic to keep going in the face of adversity.  Small business confidence improved in April, according to Discover Financial Services Small Business Watch.

Discover’s survey revealed that small business confidence climbed to its highest level in 14 months in March.  The monthly index increased more than 10 points, and represents the third consecutive monthly increase in economic confidence among small business owners.

Some highlights of the survey point out the high levels of confidence of small business owners:

• The number of small business owners who say the economy is getting better nearly doubled to 31 percent in March.
• Economic conditions are seen as improving by 32 percent of owners.

One definite positive sign is that 58 percent of owners say they have not experienced temporary cash flow issues in the past 90 days.  And 21 percent say they plan to increase spending on business development over the next six months.

Consumers are also showing more confidence in the economy; consumer confidence increased in April. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index jumpted to 39.2, the biggest upward jump since 2005.

With the increase in consumer confidence, accompanied by increasing optimism on the part of small businesses, it might be time to stop holding our breaths…maybe.  Now let’s just hope the swine flu doesn’t turn all our optimism into so much pig slop.

Image source: Newscom