by Calculated Risk on 6/14/2016 10:15:00 AM

Earlier from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): Small Business Optimism Rises Modestly in May

The Index of Small Business Optimism rose two tenths of a point in May to 93.8 ... according to the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) monthly economic survey released today. ...

Fifty-six percent reported hiring or trying to hire (up 3 points), but 48 percent reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill. Hiring activity increased substantially, but apparently the “failure rate” also rose as more owners found it hard to identify qualified applicants. ... Twenty-seven percent of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down 2 points, but historically strong.
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the small business optimism index since 1986.

The index increased to 93.8 in May.