2013 Economic Calendar
POWERED BY  econoday logo
Resource Center »  Event Release Dates   |   Event Definitions   |   Today's Calendar

NFIB Small Business Optimism IndexBack
Definition
The small business optimism index is compiled from a survey that is conducted each month by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) of its members. The index is a composite of ten seasonally adjusted components based on questions on the following: plans to increase employment, plans to make capital outlays, plans to increase inventories, expect economy to improve, expect real sales higher, current inventory, current job opening, expected credit conditions, now a good time to expand, and earnings trend. The baseline of 100 is for the average of the year 1986. A positive percentage change indicates improvement while a negative percentage change in the index suggests a decline in optimism. But the level indicates optimism relative to 1986—a moderately healthy year for economic growth with annual average GDP growth at 3.5 percent.

Why Investors Care
Small businesses are responsible for a majority of new job creation and the NFIB focuses on this sector of the economy. The direction of the health of small businesses can portend changes in the stock market—especially small caps.

Frequency
Monthly

Source
National Federation of Independent Business

Availability
Second Tuesday of each month

Coverage
Data are for the previous month. Data for June are released in July.

Revisions
No


Legal Notices | ©Copyright 1998-2013 Econoday, Inc.  powered by  [Econoday]