NFIB update: Revenge of the Proletariat?

The monthly NFIB update is always useful as a window on the economy. Small businesses tend to have little bargaining power and they are therefore sensitive barometers of economic trends. A month ago, NFIB small business optimism surged (see NFIB conservatives grudgingly turn bullish). The latest report saw optimism stall as readings edged back from 99.8 to 99.6. 

The biggest complaint was the availability of labor. While the JOLTS report comes to a similar conclusion, it is a survey of April conditions while the NFIB survey period is May. Its headline "Nearly Half of Small Businesses Unable to Fill Job Openings" tells the story.

The full post can be found here.