The fourth-quarter Duke/CFO Business Outlook survey reflects what researchers call the "Trump Jump."
"Small business owners are deeply uncertain about the future, and that is affecting their decisions,” the NFIB says.
The AICPA finds economic optimism has stabilized, with profit expectations and employment also showing strength in the third quarter.
The US-China Business Council reports 90% of firms were profitable last year but business confidence continues to decline.
