The Small-Business Optimism Index read-ing for September was 92.9, the second consecutive monthly increase. But the index still has not escaped its long string of recession-level readings. “Dramatic improvements in the percentage of owners expecting the economy to [get better] over the next six months and solid plans to invest in new inventories accounted for the early surge,” said William Dunkelberg, NFIB’s chief economist.© Pool & Spa News

                 
91.5   89.3   89.2   88.2   91.1   92.9
Apr.   May   June   July   Aug.   Sept.

SOURCE: NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS