While cooling inflation and a robust GDP reading that smashed economists’ expectations are reasons to be optimistic about the US economy, one key economic engine seems to still be sputtering: small businesses. Small business owners say they’re still grappling with the hangover effects of inflation and a labor shortage, according to the National Federation of Independent Business’s most recent monthly survey, which was conducted in January. Dougherty said small businesses may be delayed in feeling the effect of easing inflation, but once businesses experience more prolonged stable prices, that may help their sentiment turn around. A recent survey of American Express small business customers indicated that some small business owners see strength in 2024. Half of the 557 US small businesses surveyed said they plan to grow or expand their businesses in the upcoming year.

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Persons: Kevin Meehan, ­, he’s, ” Meehan, “, hasn’t, Kevin Meehan RJacobsonPhoto, we’d, that’s, Everything’s, ”, Charles Dougherty, Sarah Cash, Cash, Sarah Cash Elise Kutt, “ I’ve, ” Cash, it’s, they’re, doesn’t, Sunny, Dougherty, Meehan, I’m Organizations: CNN, Kali, National Federation of Independent, “, US Chamber of Commerce, American Express, Valentine’s Locations: Los Angeles, Wells Fargo, United States, Grand Rapids , Michigan