TORONTO, Jan. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - According to the latest survey data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), small business confidence climbed to 65.0 in December, almost a point and a half above its November level. "The Business Barometer index has historically hovered between 65 and 70 when the economy is expanding," commented Ted Mallett, vice-president and chief economist for CFIB. Adding, "The return to 'near normal' is seen as good news for Canada's economic performance, which had lately been constrained by uncertainties in foreign markets."
Provincially speaking the East-West divide is clearly apparent. Business owners in Alberta (73.6) and Saskatchewan (72.2) are the most optimistic in the country, while BC is stable at 68.0. Optimism in Central Canada is very close to the national average, with Quebec businesses at 65.3, Manitoba firms at 64.8, and Ontario businesses slightly behind at 63.5. Confidence in Atlantic Canada, however, continues to lag. Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are at an identical 59.8. While Nova Scotia remains the country's least optimistic province at an index level of 55.6.
The services sector is the most optimistic, led by the arts, information and recreation industry (72.0). The wholesale goods sector is also performing reasonably well, just shy of the 68 mark. "Although less robust, business confidence in the construction and manufacturing sectors turned upward in December to 60.6 and 63.6 respectively. Consumers, however, appeared to become more cautious in the month, sending the retail and hospitality sector indices down below 60," said Mallett.
At the same time, shortages of working capital appear to be slightly less of a concern to business owners in recent months. "However, after increasing through the past few years, concerns about shortages of qualified labour have fallen back as of late," concluded Mallett.
Measured on a scale between 0 and 100, an index level above 50 means owners expecting their businesses' performance to be stronger in the next year outnumber those expecting weaker performance. According to past results, index levels normally range between 65 and 75 when the economy is growing. The December 2011 findings are based on 900 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 3.3 per cent 19 times in 20.
As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs™. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 108,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Ted Mallett, contact Meghan Carrington at 416 222-8022 or email [email protected]
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