U.S. Small-Business Optimism Index Rises to Highest Since 1983

Small businesses in the U.S. were the most optimistic in more than three decades as recent tax cuts and economic growth spurred expectations for sales gains, according to a National Federation of Independent Business survey released Tuesday.

Almost all of the 10 index components, including inventory plans and sales expectations, increased or held steady in February, propelling the gauge to its second-highest level since the survey began in 1973. Amid tax cuts and deregulation enacted by the Trump administration, businesses cited improved profit trends at the best level since 1987.