Poll: Small business optimism dips
Owners of small businesses across the United States are still optimistic but dialing back aggressive economic plans for 2014 that they had established at the outset of the year, according to a survey by a human resources services provider.
The April survey on business confidence by Insperity Inc. found that 39 percent of about 5,300 owners of small businesses plan to add new employees this year. That’s down from 50 percent when Insperity conducted its January survey. However, more expect to maintain staffing levels; 57 percent in April compared with 47 percent in January.
Meanwhile, most business owners, 60 percent, expect sales to increase in 2014. But that’s down from 66 percent in January. And expectations took a hit: 44 percent are not sure when to expect an economic upturn, up from 37 percent.
“The optimistic 2014 outlook from … January is still present, but has been moderated by the ongoing realities of a challenging economy,” Insperity Chairman and CEO Paul J. Sarvadi said in a statement. “True to form, businesses seem to be doing all they can to move ahead while balancing economic opportunity with the restraints of increasing government regulation.”
The list of business owners’ short-term concerns is led by the economy, according to 51 percent of survey respondents; tied for second place are hiring the right people and rising health care costs, at 46 percent. National health care reform is listed a close fourth by 45 percent of respondents.
Among long-term concerns, government expansion again topped the list at 57 percent; potential tax increases came in at 55 percent; the federal deficit at 52 percent; and the economy by 44 percent.
WBJ Web Partners
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