Small Business Confidence Steady, Ebbs Slightly
The February Discover Small Business Watch index dipped slightly from 91.0 in January to 90.2, keeping confidence flat this month thanks to increasing cash flow issues. In fact, 50% of small business owners reported temporary cash flow issues within the last 90 days, up a full 7 points from the prior month. On the bright side, 46% of small business owners reported no temporary cash flow issues, down 3 points from the prior month, while 34% said economic conditions in the country are improving, up 3% points from 31 percent in January. Naysayers still accounted for 41%, saying conditions are getting worse, which is unchanged from January, while 20% said conditions are the same, down from 24%. Additional findings show 33% feel conditions are getting better, up from 31% in January; 40% say things are getting worse, up from 38% in January; those who say conditions are the same dropped to 25% from 26% in January; 56% rate the current economy as poor, down from 57% in January; 32% rate it fair, down from 34%; 7% rate it good, unchanged; and 3% say the economy is excellent, up from 2%.
