US Small-Business Optimism Rises to Five-Month High on Earnings
- Owners were less negative about sales, economy last month
- Fed signal to end interest-rate hikes helps credit conditions
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US small-business optimism ticked up to a five-month high in December, largely reflecting less pessimism around sales, earnings trends and economic expectations.
A National Federation of Independent Business index of sentiment rose 1.3 points last month to 91.9, the highest since July and matching the best reading of 2023, the group said Tuesday. Owners were less downbeat about the outlook for business conditions and only a net 4% expect lower sales in the next three months, the smallest share in nearly two years.