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Optimism on Main Street Declines as Inflation Looms as Top Challenge
The Optimism Index decreased by half of a point in February to 89.4. This is the 26th consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. The last time the Index was at or above the average was December 2021. Of the 10 index components, 2 increased, 7 decreased, and 1 was unchanged. Thirty-seven percent (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down 2 points from January and the lowest reading since January 2021. Thirty-two percent have openings for skilled workers (up 2 points) and 12 percent have openings for unskilled labor (down 3 points). The difficulty ... (full story)