According to the newest index released late last week by The Small Business Authority, a small-business services company with more than 100,000 accounts, 70% of the 1,300 independent business owners surveyed for the month of October anticipate that the economy will be better than it was in 2012 after the election. Moreover, 31% of them expect holiday sales to increase 4% or more from last year, and 52% expect that they will be at the very least comparable.

“The gradual improvement in employment, improvement in the housing sector and a good performance in the stock market have given business owners a sense of renewed optimism,” said Barry Sloane, The Small Business Authority’s chairman, president and CEO. Additionally and citing the fact that many small business owners believe Congress and the current or new President will act immediately once the election is over to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff,” Sloane summarized their current collective state of mind this way:

“Business confidence and optimism is volatile and fickle, but for now business owners, as our survey predicts, like the fourth quarter as well as post-election business opportunity.”

Newtek Business Services, Inc., The Small Business Authority, is a direct distributor of a wide range of business services and financial products to the small- and medium-sized business market under the Newtek™ brand. To view the news release regarding its latest survey findings, click here now!