3q14 small business confidence

3q14 small business confidence detail

Optimism among small firms in the September survey rose to its

second highest level since the survey first began in June of 2012. The

WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index was 110.8 in the

September 2014 survey, up from 109.8 in August and posting a 5.2%

gain from last year’s 105.3. The steady improving level of confidence in

recent months is certainly good news, but the more important finding

is that since the start of the year small firms never lost sight of the

underlying strength in the economy.

3q2014 Vistage CEO Confidence Index TJK

3q2014 Vistage CEO confidence index infographic

Confidence among CEOs reached its highest level in two years,

finally achieving a lift-off from its favorable holding pattern in the

last three quarters. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 103.4 in

the 3rd quarter 2014 survey, up from 101.0 in the 2nd quarter and

97.8 in last year’s 3rd quarter, and the highest level since 105.1 was

recorded in the 1st quarter of 2012. There is no greater indication

of confidence in future prospects than a firm’s willingness to

increase their fixed investment spending and to expand their

workforce. On both counts, firms reported the most expansive

plans since 2006.