The Small Business Optimism Index increased 3.5 points in May to 94.4, a strong improvement from April’s 90.9 reading. Eight of the 10 Index components improved in May and two declined. The NFIB Uncertainty Index increased seven points to 82. Reports of expected business conditions in the next six months increased 5 points to a net 34%, following a 24-point increase in April. … [More]
Market Analysis from a Global Perspective as Gains Are Seen
The risk associated with the US jobs report is being cast aside as markets move higher once again. Travel stocks lead the way, while oil and gas stocks rise ahead of the OPEC+ meeting. Meanwhile, dollar weakness has helped drive GBPUSD higher despite Brexit fears. Another day of gains looks to be taking shape in Europe, with the value theme seen throughout the week … [More]
Coronavirus Teaches the Value of Domestic Manufacturing
The coronavirus is novel indeed, in that we are learning daily about how it operates: its effect on our bodies, how it is distributed, who it targets and, potentially, how it is prevented. But the virus also is novel in that it pinpoints what is working in our country and what is not — in terms of healthcare, of course, but also in terms of our economy. Specifically, … [More]
COVID-19 Buying Behavior
The bottom fell out, of course, on many U.S. consumer spending categories during the month of March. But others, like grocery, drug and discount retailers, actually climbed significantly last month as consumers cooked at home and stocked up their pantries and medicine cabinets for an extended stretch of sheltering in place. Meanwhile, consumers were doing much more of their … [More]
Pandemic Ends Longest Economic Recovery
The Gross Domestic Product shrank at a 4.8-percent annual rate in the first quarter, as the shutdowns in the second half of March more than offset the modest growth earlier in the quarter. This was the sharpest fall since the 8.4-percent decline reported for the fourth quarter of 2008, following the collapse of Lehman. The biggest factors in the decline were a 10.2-percent … [More]
2020’s Best Business Credit Cards & Bank Accounts
WalletHub’s Coronavirus Small Business Survey — which gauged business owners’ attitudes on government assistance, plans to reopen the economy and more — found that 87 percent of small business owners are struggling due to the coronavirus. Addressing this, the personal-finance website today announces its editors’ selections for the best business credit cards and best business … [More]
New Markets Tax Credits
Whether it’s time to expand to a new market, expand operations or open a new location, most businesses need a loan at some point. Traditional loans work well for many financing needs. But there are other creative financing options — sometimes with more favorable terms — that a businessperson should consider for his or her next project. There are many ways to finance growth … [More]
Managing Risk for Business Owners
People often associate “risk” with big things, like a fire, accident or major theft. After all, the definition of risk can be most commonly described as “a situation involving exposure to danger.” But risk can be more subtle, like rising raw material prices or a slow sales period. And what about a business’s risk of losing its top salesperson or its most experienced … [More]
