Joining us right now is Kelly Leler, administrator of the Small Business Administration. And thank you so much for being here today, ad administrator. Let's talk a little bit about first what you're seeing in terms of the health of small businesses at this moment.>> Well, good morning, Becky. Great to be with y'all. Look, small businesses are more optimistic than they've been in seven years, according to the data.In fact, small business confidence is above its 52-year average even after a protracted 43-day ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the impact of renewed S&P 500 volatility due to tariff talks and a government shutdown, leading investors to rely on secondary economic indicators for insights into the U.S. economy [1] NFIB Small Business Survey - The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell by 2.0 points to 98.8 in September, marking the first decline in three months and coming in below the forecast of 100.6 [2] - Uncertainty among small business owners surged, reaching the fourth-highest level in over 51 years, despite the index remaining above its historical average for five consecutive months [2][3] - Labor quality and taxes are the top concerns for small business owners, with significant issues arising from supply chain disruptions and inflation [3] - The net percentage of owners reporting higher profits increased to its highest level in nearly four years, highlighting the sector's influence on the overall economy [3] Regional Manufacturing: Philadelphia & New York - The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index dropped 36 points to -12.8, the lowest since April and below the forecast of 8.6, indicating a sharp slowdown in regional activity [4] - Conversely, the Empire State Manufacturing Survey for New York increased by 19.4 points to 10.7, exceeding the forecast of -1.8, suggesting a rebound in manufacturing activity [4] - Both regions reported elevated price pressures and stronger future optimism, with firms expressing greater confidence in the next six months [4][5] NAHB Housing Market Index - Builder confidence improved, with the NAHB Housing Market Index rising five points to 37, the highest since April and above the expected reading of 33 [6] - All three components of the index—current sales, expected sales, and prospective buyer traffic—experienced their largest monthly increases since early 2024 [7] Zillow Home Value Index - U.S. home values rose for the first time in seven months in September, with the Zillow Home Value Index increasing to $363,932, a nominal rise of 0.1% from August [8] - However, inflation-adjusted home values fell for the seventeenth consecutive month, declining 0.3% from August and down 3.8% year-over-year, indicating a challenging housing market [9] Market Reactions - The S&P 500 posted a 1.7% increase last week, with the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) also rising by 1.7% [10] - The 10-year note yield fell below 4.00% for the first time in over a year, while the 2-year note reached its lowest level since September 2022 [11] Economic Data in the Week Ahead - The ongoing government shutdown has led to a sparse economic calendar, making the available reports more significant [12] - Upcoming releases include Existing Home Sales figures, the Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Index, and the Michigan Consumer Sentiment report, which will provide insights into consumer sentiment and economic growth [12]

Core Insights - The rise of generative AI is empowering solopreneurs, enabling them to build businesses that were previously only dreams [1][3] Group 1: Solopreneur Landscape - In 2022, there were 29.8 million solopreneurs in the U.S., generating approximately $1.7 trillion, which accounts for 6.8% of the U.S. economy [2] - California has the highest number of solopreneurs at 3,502,950, while Florida leads on a per-capita basis with 13.3 solopreneurs for every 100 people [2] Group 2: AI Adoption Among Small Businesses - A 2025 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates that 58% of small businesses are utilizing generative AI, an increase from 40% in 2024 and 23% in 2023 [3] - The primary applications of AI in small businesses include customer engagement and inventory management, with 84% of respondents planning to increase their use of technology platforms [3] Group 3: Benefits of AI for Solopreneurs - AI enables small businesses, including solopreneurs, to compete effectively despite limited resources [4] - Solopreneurs like Angela Berardino have leveraged AI to automate tasks such as note-taking, research, and data analysis, allowing them to grow their businesses [5] Group 4: Starting a Business with AI - Individuals can initiate a side hustle quickly, with tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT enabling the creation of a business plan in about 10 minutes [6] - Such AI-generated plans are considered solid enough for presentation to banks or lenders [6]

U.S. business activity continued growing in September, though the rate of growth slowed for the second consecutive month, S&P Global said Tuesday (Sept. 23).By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.The compa ...