NFIB: Small Business Optimism Index decreased in March

From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): In Rare Occurrence, All Ten Components of NFIB Small Business Optimism Index weakened

The Small Business Optimism Index fell 2.8 points to 95.2, declining in sympathy with the rather weak stream of reports on the economy.

... The net percent of owners reporting an increase in employment fell 5 percentage points to a net negative 1 percent of owners, down substantially from the recent high of 9 percent in December 2014.
emphasis added

A little good news: Only 11 percent of companies reported "poor sales" as the most important problem, down from 14% a year ago, and a recession high of 34%.

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the small business optimism index since 1986.

The index decreased to 95.2 in March from 98.0 in February.