Gusto survey: 61% of 1,731 US small business owners optimistic about own business, only 18% about the economy
Key points
- 61% of small business owners are optimistic about their own business, unchanged from last year
- Only 18% are optimistic about the US economy (29% in 2025); 59% are pessimistic (50% last year)
- Among businesses using outside financing, 79% used a business credit card (69% last year)
Gusto's 2026 State of Small Business report surveyed 1,731 US small business owners with 24 or fewer employees. 61% are optimistic about their own business, unchanged from a year ago. Only 18% are optimistic about the US economy, down from 29% in 2025, while 59% are pessimistic, up from 50% last year. Among businesses using outside financing, 79% used a business credit card, up from 69% last year. The report says two-thirds use AI.
Original report: Yahoo Finance ↗AI-assisted brief; may contain inaccuracies. Rely on the original reports and official documents.