Owners More Optimistic

Nov. 14, 2006 -- Small business owners had a more positive outlook on the economy last month, according to a survey released today by the National Federation of Independent Business, a Washington D.C.-based lobby group.

More owners in October expected business conditions to improve in coming months and were confident that the economy will be stronger next year, the survey found.

Five of ten components of the group's monthly small-business optimism index improved last month, including plans to increase capital outlays and inventories, while expectations of higher sales were unchanged from September.

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