A majority of those surveyed (55 percent) are highly optimistic about the national economy, rocketing from 34 percent last fall and 26 percent a year ago, according to PNC in its latest semi-annual survey of small and mid-sized businesses. The survey, which concluded Feb. 1, shows that business-owner optimism about economic conditions during the next six months has reached a 22-year high amid lessening fears of a recession.
Four in 10 (40 percent) are highly optimistic about the global economy, up from 25 percent last fall and 9 percent a year ago. Nearly two-thirds of business owners (63 percent) are highly optimistic about their local economy, up from 47 percent last fall and 30 percent a year ago.
Optimism also runs high about their own businesses. Eight in 10 business owners (79 percent) report that they are highly optimistic about the prospects for their own business, consistent with last fall (77 percent) and up substantially from a year ago (60 percent). Constr
