The National Federation of Independent Business said its survey of small business sentiment rose 0.1 in January, to 105.9. Economists expected a drop to 104.5. December’s 7.4-point surge was the the biggest in the forty year history of the survey. Of 10 index components, five increased and five decreased in January. Current job openings and plans to increase employment were both up, but expects the economy to improve fell.
The Federal Reserve says rising commercial real estate prices may leave some small banks vulnerable to a drop in the market. In a report to Congress on financial stability, which accompanied Fed Chairman Janet Yellen’s testimony to the Senate Banking Committee, the Fed said that commercial real estate prices, which have been an area of growing concern at the central bank, continue to rise. Overall financial vulnerabilities in the U.S. financial system have moderated since mid-2016.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for 1360 KUIK.
