Small And Mid-Size Business Owners Report Slight Chill in Optimism

Pittsburgh, Pa. -- Historic optimism about the national economy from the spring (50%) chilled slightly this fall (40%), but remains well above fall 2017 (29%), according to the PNC Economic Outlook, a semiannual telephone survey of small and middle-market business owners and executives. Four out of 10 business leaders described their outlook for the national economy as optimistic, the second-highest rating in the 15-year survey.

Those with a pessimistic outlook increased to 12% this fall from the historic low of 8% in the spring. Similarly, half (51%) are optimistic regarding their own businesses for the next six months, a drop from the historic high of 58% in spring 2018. Pessimism remains at a historic low of 4%.