NFIB News Release (09/08/14)

The National Federation of Independent Business’ Optimism Index for August rose 0.4 points to 96.1, the second highest reading since October 2007.

NFIB owners increased employment by a seasonally adjusted average of 0.02 workers per firm in August, the 11th consecutive positive month but basically a zero net gain. The remaining 78% of owners made no net change in employment. Fifty-six percent of the owners hired or tried to hire in the last three months and 46% reported few or no qualified applicants for open positions. Twenty-six percent of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, up two points, suggesting no change or a modest reduction in the unemployment rate. Sixteen percent reported using temporary workers, up one point.