Entrepreneurs think the economy is picking up.
At the same time, sales and earnings are slowing, according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business survey. Hiring, capital spending, and inventory investment remain strong. Entrepreneurs who've been struggling to fill job openings have plenty of company, the NFIB says. Lowest on the survey's raking of small-business woes were inflation and the cost and availability of credit. The list of small-business concerns may be a lagging indicator, however.