(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 12 mag - US small-business confidence rose by 0.1 points in April to 95.9, below its 52-year average of 98.0 for the second consecutive month, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said.

The Uncertainty Index declined 4 points in April to 88, remaining well above its historical average of 68.

The Employment Index fell from 101.6 in March to 100.4, the second consecutive month of decline, NFIB said, adding reports of both actual and planned price increases rose.

"Inflationary pressures continue to be a challenge for Main Street,' NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg said.

"'While small business optimism is currently fragile, the benefits of the Working Families Tax Cut Act should start to.

feed into the private sector over the next few months."

(RADIOCOR) 12-05-26 13:58:20 (0423) 5 NNNN