
OCTOBER WSJ/Vistage Small Business Index
Small business confidence dips over current economic uncertainty and the rising costs of human capital.
The WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index fell to 79.8, a level last reported in June 2023, while remaining within the average for this year.
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WSJ/VISTAGE SMALL BUSINESS CEO CONFIDENCE INDEX
The WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index is calculated from responses to a set of six questions about the current and future state of the U.S. economy, revenue and profitability projections and hiring and investment plans. Measured over time, the Index reflects trends in the U.S. economy.
EXPERT PERSPECTIVE

“Despite inflation increasing just 3.7% for the past 2 months and the U.S. Federal Reserve deciding not to raise interest rates in September, small business sentiment about the economy’s future has declined in the October WSJ/Vistage Small Business Index.”
ANNE PETRIK
VISTAGE VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH
WSJ/VISTAGE SMALL BUSINESS INDEX COMPONENTS
The components of the Small Business Index include six standard questions that are scored as the percentage giving favorable replies minus the percentage giving unfavorable replies, plus 100. The WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index is the sum of the components calculated as a percentage of the level recorded in the June 2012 survey. Because the survey began in June 2012, the Index for that month was 100.
WSJ/VISTAGE SMALL BUSINESS INDEX: CURRENT EVENTS
Each month the survey captures data on the most pressing issues and challenges small business leaders are facing. Analysis provides perspectives to help leaders make better decisions for their businesses.
COST REDUCTIONS
DEMOGRAPHICS
WSJ/VISTAGE SMALL BUSINESS INDEX ARTICLES

The WSJ/Vistage monthly survey measures the sentiment of U.S. small business leaders with revenues of $1-20 million about the economy, prospects and expansion plans for their business.