U.S. Small-Business Optimism Hits Second-Highest on Record

A gauge of optimism among U.S. small-business owners rose to a 34-year high amid increasingly sunny expectations for sales and profits, a National Federation of Independent Business survey showed Tuesday.

Small-business sentiment has remained elevated since Donald Trump was elected president in late 2016, with tax cuts, reduced regulations and solid economic growth supporting the optimistic outlook. At the same time, owners continued to cite difficulty finding workers with the necessary skills and qualifications and have raised compensation accordingly amid the lowest unemployment rate in 18 years. The report suggests that Trump administration tariffs, along with freight bottlenecks that have pushed up costs for some businesses, have had little effect so far on small-company sentiment.