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NFIB Small Business Economic Trends
The Small Business Optimism Index declined 3.2 points to 101.2, the lowest reading since the last three weeks of November 2016 when the Index jumped from 95 to 102 after election results were announced. Three Index components increased modestly while seven declined. Except for a decline in inventory investment plans from stratospheric levels, half of the weakness came from softer expectations for real sales growth and business conditions in the second half of the year. There was a deterioration in the rates of bill payment and receivables collection, but this may well be a result of the temporary government shutdown. ... (full story)