Search Results

U.S. small-business owners' net capital spending intentions for the next 12 months plunged to -14 in November, the lowest level in more than two years, according to the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index.

U.S. small-business owners' net hiring intentions for the next 12 months plunged to -4 in November, matching the lowest level recorded by the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index. The previous low was also -4 in November 2008.

U.S. small-business owners are pessimistic post-election, with the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index plunging to -11 in November from 17 in July. Owners' optimism about business conditions in the year ahead has decreased the most.

U.S. small-business-owner satisfaction is up sharply to 39 in the third quarter of 2012, compared with 26 in the third quarter of 2010. Additionally, 39% of small-business owners feel extremely or very successful.

At least seven in 10 U.S. small-business owners say a better sales outlook, more certainty about their operating environment, and lower federal taxes will make them more likely to make capital investments in the next 12 months.

U.S. small-business owners' optimism declined in July, with the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index falling to 17 from 23 in April. The drop was driven by business owners' less optimistic expectations for the next 12 months.

Thirty-six percent of U.S. small-business owners are uncomfortable with their company's debt, according to the April Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index poll. One in five past borrowers cannot get all the credit they need.

U.S. small-business owners expect credit to be more easily available over the next 12 months, though more still say credit will be difficult to get than say it will be easy. Three in four feel confident they can get credit if needed.

The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index rose to 23 in April, up from 15 in January and its highest level since July 2008. The higher optimism is due more to positive future economic expectations than to views of current conditions.

The proportion of U.S. small-business owners who plan to increase their company's capital spending over the next 12 months (28%) is the highest in four years, according to the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index.