The Discover® Small Business WatchSM index has been reported to have fallen down to 71.4 in January, 1.4 points from December, which indicates that economic confidence among small business owners is decreasing. Fewer owners plan to increase spending for business development and healthcare of their employees. 

Only 19 percent of owners expressed their willingness to rise spending on business development in the future six months. This rating is the lowest in the Watch’s 30-month history. Moreover, the number of small business owners, who see economic conditions for their businesses improving has decreased: 17 percent down from 21 percent in December. 

Another finding of the survey has been that 85 percent of small business owners would not be offering health insurance to their employees, up from 77 percent a year ago. However, the percentage of businesses owners, who say that obtaining affordable healthcare for themselves and their employees is “very” or “somewhat” difficult is unchanged from last year, 69 percent.