Small Business Uncertainty Spiked Again in October

Business owners are feeling extremely uncertain. But that doesn’t mean they’re losing hope for the future, according to a new report.

Business - Inc. - 2 days ago

SBA Depletes Disaster Loan Funds After Helene and Milton, Biden Says

Federal officials urged people to keep applying for the loans, which they said they would continue to process while awaiting more funding from Congress, which is not set to reconvene until Nov. 12.

Top stories - The New York Times - October 15

Small Business Administration out of disaster relief funds

The Small Business Administration, a key federal program that provides disaster loans, said it has run out of funds for new emergency loans following hurricanes Helene and Milton.

How to Build an Exceptional Small-Business Brand

Remember, the brand is what pays the bills.

Business - Inc. - October 19

2 Wishes for Small Businesses in an Election Year

No matter who’s in the Oval Office, the economy is something we should all be rooting for.

Business - Inc. - Yesterday

Chicago business-activity index drops to five-month low in October

Index falls to 41.6, falling short of 46.8 consensus forecast.

Business - MarketWatch - October 31

This Mystery Shopping Company Just Became America’s Top Small Business

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce named mystery shopping and customer experience research platform Confero as the top small business of 2024.

Business - Inc. - October 17

3 Simple Ways Small Businesses Can Defend Against Cyberattacks

Small companies are increasingly in hackers’ crosshairs, but there are steps you can take to boost your security right away.

Business - Inc. - October 23

Harris announces record lending from Small Business Administration

With the economy the top issue for many voters, Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce record lending from the federal government to small business owners.

Can Harris’s Economic Plans Sway Small Business Owners to Vote Democratic?

Kamala Harris has leaned in with promises to aid start-ups, but proprietors are often more focused on taxes and regulations.

Business - The New York Times - October 29

Small Business Owners More Confident About Borrowing After Rate Cut

Entrepreneurs and the banks that finance their expansions and upgrades are more optimistic, as refinancing and new loans get easier.

Business - Inc. - October 29

How Google’s Ad Change Could Affect Small Businesses

The overhaul of Google Local Services means small businesses must be verified before their ads can run and be served on the popular digital ad platform.

Business - Inc. - October 30

After six years of tariffs, small-business owners aren’t eager for more

Donald Trump wants to greatly expand import duties. Entrepreneurs who weathered his first round, which Biden largely left intact, say they’d have to raise prices to survive.

Exclusive: SBA Certifies Record Number of Diverse-Owned Small Businesses

The agency has certified more than 17,000 diverse-owned small firms this year as part of a broader effort to expand access to federal contracting.

Business - Inc. - November 4

Drive Growth With SEO: 3 Tips for Small-Business Owners

Why a solid SEO strategy sets successful online businesses apart—and how to develop one.

Business - Inc. - November 7

Veterans Day Spotlight: Empowering Veteran-Owned Small Businesses for a Brighter Future

Veteran entrepreneurs face many challenges, but these resources can help.

Business - Inc. - 3 days ago

China's Alibaba releases AI search tool for small businesses in Europe and the Americas

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba unveiled an artificial intelligence-powered search engine for small businesses in Europe and the Americas to source supplies.

Business - CNBC - Yesterday

5 Ways Small Businesses Can Mitigate Risks With Fractional HR

You may not need a full-time human resources professional, but a fractional role can be a strategic advantage.

Business - Inc. - Yesterday

Why Your Successful Small Business Saturday Needs a Plan

The Saturday after Thanksgiving could be a big day for small businesses.

Business - Inc. - 23 hours ago

Eurozone activity contracts again in October, S&P PMI surveys suggest

The eurozone’s economy looks set to weaken further, with activity contracting for a second-straight month, as policymakers at the European Central Bank consider whether to accelerate interest-rate ...

Business - MarketWatch - October 24

Bank of England cuts UK interest rates again despite modest budget-related inflation spike

The Bank of England has cut its main interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point after inflation across the U.K. fell below its target rate of 2%

World - ABC News - November 7

US economy added only 12,000 jobs in October in shock pre-election drop – as it happened

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as non-farm payrolls numbers deliver economic surprise days before presidential election. Oil prices have risen by 2% after ...

World - The Guardian - November 1

Small Business Administration disaster loan program exhausts funds after Hurricane Helene

The Small Business Administration said it has exhausted funds for its disaster loan program following increased demand from Hurricane Helene, with Congress being in recess.

Small Business Administration pausing disaster loans, program out of money until Congress returns

The Small Business Administration has run out of the money it was using for loans to help business owners recover from Hurricanes Milton and Helene. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott ...

What America’s small businesses have to say about 2024 (and what they expect in 2025)

Small businesses employ about half of the workers in this country and generate nearly half of the nation’s gross domestic product. So with the election only a couple of weeks away, what’s their ...

Politics - The Hill - October 23

Harris’ small business pitch resonates in Georgia’s most diverse county. Can it win her the state?

The Democratic nominee's path to victory could hinge on her ability to excite entrepreneurs in Gwinnett County, Georgia, an immigrant-rich slice of Atlanta.

New York Nico’s New NYC Travel Guide Is a Love Letter to Small Businesses

“These businesses are kind of like safe spaces for me,” says social-media icon Nicolas Heller, better known as New York Nico.

Business - Inc. - November 5

Small Business Administration-Backed Financing Rose to $56 Billion in Fiscal Year 2024

Smaller loans made up for much of the additional funding.

Business - Inc. - 6 days ago

How the FedEx-UPS Price War Could Slash Year-End Costs for Small Businesses

Falling parcel volumes and fewer year-end shopping days, this year have led the two transporters to extend big price reductions to small business owners.

Business - Inc. - 5 days ago

Election Uncertainty Makes Some Employers Wary of Adding Jobs

Some employers say they have been wary to expand until the outcome of the presidential election is known.

Business - The New York Times - November 1

Uncertainty after Israel's retaliatory strikes on Iran

Israel's military specified that its warplanes targeted surface-to-air missile systems and missile production sites in its strikes on Iran early Saturday that were in response to Iran's direct ...

Another Jolt of Uncertainty for a Global Economy Mired in It

The U.S. presidential election result has ensured a sharp turn in economic policy expected to upend global commerce and diverge from decades of American norms.

Business - The New York Times - November 6

Trump victory casts uncertainty over Ukraine’s future

President-elect Trump’s stunning political comeback, capped by his victory over Vice President Harris this week, has sparked unease over Ukraine’s future and how the incoming Republican ...

Politics - The Hill - November 6

On and off the pitch, uncertainty is starting to creep up at Arsenal

The defeat to Internazionale has only raised more questions about Arsenal's run of form.

Sports - ESPN - November 6

Gaza’s Cease-Fire Talks Will Probably Wait Until After Trump’s Inauguration

Any major progress on a cease-fire will probably have to wait until after January’s inauguration, analysts said. Gazans said they were divided about whether Mr. Trump would do much to stop the war.

World - The New York Times - November 7

Under Trump, Tech Giants Like Apple and Meta Face a Familiar Uncertainty

Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta and others learned during the last Trump administration to expect the unexpected when it came to Washington scrutiny and support.

Business - The New York Times - November 7

More growth, inflation and uncertainty: the BoE’s Budget verdict

Spending boost has reinforced the monetary policy committee’s caution about scope for further interest rate cuts

World - Financial Times - 6 days ago

Pending roster limits pose uncertainty for college athletes

Part of the pending NCAA agreement would set new roster sizes in every Division I NCAA-sponsored sport.

Sports - ESPN - 2 days ago

Latest in Small Business Uncertainty Spiked Again in October