Business Barometer®: Small business confidence takes a small dip in September

Small business confidence remained steady but muted in September, according to the latest Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Business Barometer®. The 12-month outlook dipped one point to 52.5, while the short-term optimism sits at 49.5 index points.

“There’s been a slight ease on small businesses but many challenges, including inflation and labour shortages, are still holding many firms back,” said Andreea Bourgeois, Director of Economics at CFIB. “Their sentiment held steady in September but with no improvement.”

Overall, 38% of businesses say they’re in a good shape, while 18% say they’re in a bad shape.

Average price plans continue their downward trend, with businesses expecting to increase prices by an average of 4.0%, while wage plans have remained at 3.1%.

Full-time hiring plans are muted, with only 18% of businesses looking to hire in the next 3 months and 19% planning to lay off.

Skilled labour and input shortages continue to limit business growth for 51% and 27% of small businesses, respectively. Additionally, fuel and energy costs (67%), wage costs (60%) and insurance costs (54%) were the top cost constraints for small businesses in September.

Over the short-term, businesses in Prince Edward Island registered the biggest drop but are still posting a moderate level of confidence, alongside firms in Nova Scotia. Saskatchewan and Quebec are the only other provinces to report levels above 50 (at 51.4 and 51.2 respectively). 

“There’s not a lot of optimism among small firms who are feeling uncertain about the next three months. Heading into the fall season, governments must focus on small business priorities to help ease their financial burden,” Bourgeois said.

Methodology:

September Business Barometer®: September findings are based on 687 responses from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Data reflect responses received September 6 to 22. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 3.7 per cent, 19 times in 20. Every new month, the entire series of indicators is recalculated for the previous month to include all survey responses received in that previous month.

About CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 95,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business