US small business confidence inches up

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Source: FT

Small business optimism in the US rose for the first time in seven months as the outlook for sales and better business conditions improved slightly, but analysts warned that confidence remains low.

The National Federation of Independent Business said on Tuesday that its optimism index rose to 88.9 in September from 88.1 the previous month on a scale of 100.

August’s reading had been the lowest level in 13 months. The index surveyed 729 small businesses, which are defined as independent companies employing 500 people or less.

The figures offered “more evidence suggesting the meltdown in business confidence is over, at least for now, though by absolute standards this is still a terrible report,” said Ian Shepherdson, chief US economist at High Frequency Economics.

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1. Do you know what is the major ingredient for a successful con job?

CONFIDENCE. That's why they call con artists confidence men.