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Tue, March 11, 2025

US small business confidence extends decline in February


Published on 2025-03-11 06:20:53 - Reuters
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  • U.S. small-business confidence dropped for a third straight month in February, wiping away much of the gains notched in the aftermath of President Donald Trump's election victory in November, amid mounting concerns over the administration's trade policy.

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 ]