CURRENCIES The Ledger Small businesses prosper No matter the economy, small-business owners are moving onward with confidence and setting record-high expectations. 125 How 100 Optimism index Based on revenue, cash flow, capital spending, number of jobs and other factors. 75 optimistic are smallbusiness owners? 50 25 -25 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 (Q1) Most small-business owners foresee economic prosperity this year. ¾ of small-business owners reported feeling prepared to weather an economic downturn. 12 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q May 2019 29% Diff iculty 67% Prosperity 4% Don't know Source: Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, Quarter 1, 2019