Index of Small Business Optimism declines for third straight month

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has a new report that shows the Index of Small Business Optimism fell again in May (it has now declined for three straight months - see graph below).  The report says that small businesses (about 25%) are still reporting weak sales as their top business challenge.  Approximately 51% of businesses in the State of Mississippi are very small (four employees or less).