The Small Business Research Board (SBRB) recently published its Q3 Industry Report on Small Business based on a nationwide poll of 800 small business owners, reporting that the outlook for small businesses in two of three key U.S. industry categories declined in Q3.
The SBRB Small Business Confidence Index (SBCI) showed declines for businesses in construction and contracting as well as manufacturing while the food industry showed greater confidence.
Manufacturing companies reflected the most significant drop in its SBCI, decreasing almost two points from the previous quarter (38.33 vs. 40.3). The SBCI for construction and contracting dropped one point from the previous quarter to 47. In contrast, the food industry SBCI is up ten points from the first quarter of 20007, and eight points from Q2, and currently sits at 48.5.
The overall SBCI for all small businesses was 43, three points lower than Q2.
This study definitely suggests that small businesses are having notable concerns about the overall economy and its short-term impact on business conditions over the next 12 months.
Shivonne Byrne, Innuity CMO