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Small Business Owners Warm To Hiring
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The spring findings of PNC's biannual survey, which began in 2003, reveal that nearly four in 10 (37 percent) owners are strongly optimistic about their near-term business prospects, while the 12 percent who are pessimistic is the fewest since 2007. Their optimism is fueled by higher expectations for the next six months as 55 percent anticipate increased sales and 41 percent anticipate higher profits, the most for both since 2012.
Positive attitudes towards their own business prospects are matched by increased optimism towards the U.S. economy as well. The number of owners who report feeling "greatly optimistic" about the U.S. economy nearly doubled from seven percent to 13 percent since fall while those who are at least "moderately optimistic" is 64 percent, the most since 2007, pre-recession.
"The harsh winter's impact on the U.S. economy overall appears to be temporary," said
Survey results also indicate more pay raises are expected. Thirty-two percent of owners expect to increase employee wages over the next six months, a sharp 10 percentage point increase since fall.
With a mix of salaried and hourly employees, seven in 10 owners say a potential federal minimum wage increase would not impact 2014 hiring plans. In contrast, one in four (26 percent) say they would reduce hiring with just a few of those owners (six percent) who would cut existing employees as a result of such an increase.
Other key findings include:
- Price Hikes Carry Minimal Impact: Nearly 40 percent plan to raise prices, and largely only intend to do so by 1-2 percent, below the Federal Reserve's two percent inflation goal.
- Need for Loans Decreases: Only 15 percent will probably or definitely take out a new loan or line of credit in the next six months, a five percentage point decline since fall 2013. While fewer plan to borrow, credit availability continues to improve, as the gap has narrowed between those who say credit is easier to obtain (17 percent) versus more difficult (18 percent).
- Housing Rebound Slows: 48 percent expect home prices in their local market to rise in the coming year, down 10 percentage points from the fall survey. Expectations of price declines held steady at just seven percent of respondents.
An online media kit containing national and regional survey results is available on PNC's website at www.pnc.com/pncpresskits.
The
Methodology
The PNC Economic Outlook survey was conducted between
This report has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended as specific advice or recommendations. Information has been gathered from third party sources and has not been independently verified or accepted by The
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