The Economy This Week
Small-business owners raise prices amid weaker sales; jobless claims fall. Read story
Angus Loten
Lawmakers Seek SBA Budget Boost
After years of cuts, senate leaders are urging the White House to increase funding for federal small-business programs. Read story
Small-Business Hiring Up
Despite higher labor costs, small employers hired more new workers in 2007, payroll data shows. Read story
Small Firms Raising Prices
A recent survey finds higher costs and weaker sales are putting inflationary pressure on small businesses. Read story
SBA Contracting Chief Named
Fay Ott, a senior manager at the agency, will lead efforts to meet federal small-business contracting goals. Read story
IPOs Hit Seven-Year High
The number of venture-backed companies going public more than doubled over the fourth quarter, a report shows. Read story
Workplace Accidents on the Decline
Tougher regulatory enforcement is curbing on-the-job fatalities and injuries, the government says. Read story
Small-Business Owners 'Sleepworking'
A new survey finds many entrepreneurs are living the American Dream, even as they sleep. Read story
The Economy This Week
Small-business outlook continues to fade; job growth drops to four-month low. Read story
SBA Contracting Plan Draws Fire
A long delayed move to boost federal contracts for women-owned businesses comes up far too short, critics say. Read story
What Enron Didn't Teach Us
Years after multibillion-dollar scandals rocked corporate America, more than half of employees at both public and private companies admit they have witnessed... Read story
Former Entrepreneur of the Year Dies After Fall
ABC Supply owner Ken Hendricks was among the nation's wealthiest entrepreneurs. Read story
NetSuite IPO Prices Surge
Following a shaky start, shares in the business software firm are trading up. Read story
Holiday Shoppers Dig Into Savings
A surge in spending last month outpaced gains in personal income, knocking the savings rate to a two-year low. Read story
The Economy This Week
Leading indicators continue to fall; gas prices drop below $3 per gallon. Read story
Senate Approves SBA Funding Boost
A new bill provides the small-business agency with an additional $40 million for core lending and assistance programs. Read story
Personal Income Rising
Following a slowdown earlier this year, U.S. income growth picked up over the third quarter, the government reports. Read story
SBA Staff Morale Improves
A survey shows employees are feeling more upbeat about the agency. Read story
Feds Strengthen RegFlex Act
A new bill requires agencies to gauge the indirect impact of regulations on small firms. Read story
Senate Offers Tax Credit for Reservist Pay
The provision seeks to boost wages for small-business employees called up for active duty. Read story
The Economy This Week
Optimism among small-business owners fades; retail sales get a seasonal boost. Read story
SOX Reprieve for Small Business
The SEC will review rules requiring external checks on financial controls at smaller companies. Read story
Fed Trims Interest Rate
Banks respond by dropping benchmark lending rates for small businesses to a two-year low. Read story
Small-Business Optimism Plunges
Recent interest rate cuts have prompted owners to slash hiring and spending plans, a survey finds. Read story
NetSuite IPO Auction Opens
The hosted business software firm expects to sell 6.2 million shares at $13 to $16 per share, company officials say. Read story
Business Groups Attack Energy Bill
A House move to raise oil industry taxes will result in higher energy prices for small-business owners, opponents say. Read story
The Economy This Week
Small businesses create more new jobs; soaring gas prices begin to retreat. Read story
Job Growth Eases Recession Fears
Led by small and midsize businesses, U.S. employers add 189,000 new jobs in November, ADP reports. Read story
Selling Without the 'Ka-Ching'
A weekly look at the latest products and services designed to help you run a better business. Read story
Recession Fears to Curb Spending
A growing concern for job security has many workers planning to tighten their belts this holiday season, a survey finds. Read story
Business Groups Attack Energy Bill
A House move to raise oil industry taxes will result in higher energy prices for small-business owners, opponents say. Read story
SBA Identifies Top Contractors
Many of the government's biggest small-business contractors have outgrown federal size standards. Read story
Consumer Spending Flat
Rising prices in October offset modest gains in income, according to the Commerce Department. Read story
Help-Wanted Ads Decline
The recent economic downturn has employers cutting back on hiring plans, the Conference Board says. Read story
The Economy This Week
Financial market woes shake consumer confidence; unemployment claims surge. Read story
Feds to Revise No-Match Rule
A move to punish employers who hire illegal workers is shelved to assess its impact on small business. Read story
Bankruptcies on the Rise
Cases filed in the third quarter were up more than 40 percent over the same period last year. Read story
Small-Business Confidence Down
Financial market uncertainties had owners feeling less optimistic about the economy in November. Read story
Fewer Employers Planning Holiday Parties
Growing economic woes have fewer business owners in a party mood this year, a recent survey shows. Read story
Cyber Monday Sales to Hit Record High
Seventy-two million consumers are planning to shop online today, including many at work. Read story
