02/23/19 SMALL BIZ IS BOUNCING ALONG

SMALL BIZ IS BOUNCING ALONG
Asian woes don't seem to count--yet
While many large companies fret about Asia's flu, small-business owners are relatively unconcerned. The National Federation of Independent Business reports that its small-business optimism index clocked in at 102.3 in January, a full point above its average level in last year's first half.
Sales have been rising, and hiring and capital-spending plans remain at or close to record levels, reports NFIB economist William C. Dunkelberg. One of the loudest complaints, besides perennial grousing about taxes and regulations, continues to be a shortage of ''qualified'' labor.
With reports of owners' hiking of compensation for their workers hitting new highs at the same time that increases in selling prices have plunged (chart), you might think the small guys would be hurting. Up to now, however, strong sales appear to be buoying the bottom line. ''Based on our optimism index,'' says Dunkelberg, ''real growth in the first quarter could come in close to 4%.''
BY GENE KORETZ

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CHART: Small Business Feels Some Heat