The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released its November Small Business Economic Trends report, which stated that Optimism Index rose 0.3% to 89.1 in October, the highest level since September 2008. Yet, the index remains far below its five-year peak of 107.7 in November 2004. However, the number of respondents who anticipated better economic conditions since months hence exceeded those foreseeing worse conditions by 11%, the second-highest positive outlook since September of last year. The NFIB states it report findings in terms of a positive or negative net percentage of respondents’ answers — i.e. higher versus lower earning, better versus worse conditions, etc.