U.S. small business optimism index likely to have risen slightly in April

The U.S. small business optimism index is expected to have risen in April. In the prior month, the NFIB index had dropped, but small businesses continued to exude a high degree of optimism about the economy.

Hiring plans, capital spending expectations and the share of companies seeing stronger profits all stayed near the highs of the current expansion. The NFIB index is expected to be little changed in April, although some potential for weakening after another month of contentious trade talk is expected, noted Wells Fargo in a research report.

Other business surveys indicate towards some weakening in recent business conditions, including both ISM surveys and the latest Wells Fargo Small Business Survey.

“All continue to sit at fairly high levels, however, and suggest small business optimism remained strong last month”, added Wells Fargo.

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