Confidence in economy drops

Of 1,200 small business owners and managers surveyed in July, 45.9 percent were confident or very confident about chances for a strong economy for the next six months, down from 49.5 percent in June.

About 58 percent said employment levels will remain the same over the next six months, up two-tenths of a point from June; 30.5 percent said there will be more layoffs.

Despite a drop in small business owners’ overall confidence in the economy, those numbers have been higher than the numbers for consumer confidence in the economy every month this year, by an average of 3.1 percent.

A second survey of 1,000 small business owners and managers showed 26.1 percent would change their driving habits if the price of gasoline reached $2.25. If prices reached $3, 20.5 said they would change their habits, and 20.5 percent said they wouldn’t change their habits despite rising prices.

The survey was conducted by BIGresearch, a consumer market intelligence firm.

Sam’s Club, a warehouse division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., releases the results of its Small Business Confidence Index every month.