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US small business confidence extends decline in February

The article from MSN discusses the decline in U.S. small business confidence for the 25th consecutive month in February, as reported by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The NFIB's Small Business Optimism Index dropped to 89.4, marking a decrease from January's 89.9. This ongoing decline reflects persistent concerns among small business owners about economic conditions, including inflation, labor quality, and sales expectations. Notably, the percentage of owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months fell to a net negative 38%, indicating a deepening pessimism. Despite these challenges, there was a slight improvement in the perception of credit conditions, with fewer owners reporting that loans were harder to obtain. However, overall, the sentiment remains cautious, with many owners still facing difficulties in hiring and managing operational costs amidst economic uncertainty.

Read the Full Reuters Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/other/us-small-business-confidence-extends-decline-in-february/ar-AA1AGaoV ]