Despite national gains, B.C.’s small business confidence wavered in February, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
The latest Business Barometer Index indicated B.C. as slightly less optimistic at 64.9 — down from 65.2 in January and below the 65.0 registered in December.
Nationwide the index showed small business confidence has risen to 66.0 in the last month – its sixth consecutive monthly increase.
Businesses in the Prairies were generally the most optimistic. Alberta (72.3) and Saskatchewan (70.1) were again at the top of the list.
Along with the decline in B.C., confidence fell last month in Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Islands.
Nationally, optimism weakened in construction and manufacturing, but it was offset by big improvements in retail and hospitality, suggesting that consumers are in a positive frame of mind.
Company owners in the natural resources and the business services sector are the most upbeat.
“For the first time on record, agriculture makes it into third place, in a tie with financial services,” said Ted Mallett, CFIB chief economist and vice-president.
“Overall, there is a very little gap between the most and the least optimistic business owners, by sector – which is a welcome sign of general economic stability.”
