Small business leaders shared their opinions on six economic issues in the WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index for July.

Overall economy. Thirty-eight percent of respondents believe overall economic conditions in the United States have worsened compared with one year ago. Eighteen percent said they have improved, and 43% said they have remained the same.
Future economy. Nearly half (47%) expect overall economic conditions to remain about the same during the next 12 months, while 25% expect them to become worse and 21% look for them to be better.
Expected revenues. Fifty-seven percent anticipate that their company's revenues will increase during the next 12 months. Thirty percent expect them to remain about the same, and 12% anticipate decreased revenues.
Profitability projections. Nearly half (46%) of small-business leaders expect profitability to improve over the next 12 months, compared with 34% who expect profitability to remain about the same and 20% who expect it to worsen.

Future investments. More than half (54%) said total fixed investment expenditures are likely to remain the same during the next 12 months, while 28% anticipate increased spending and 16% expect a decrease.
Future employment. Respondents are fairly evenly divided when asked whether their total number of employees will increase or stay the same over the next 12 months. Forty-nine percent expect their workforce to remain the same, 43% said it will increase and just 8% believe it will decrease.

Finally, small business leaders cited insurance as one of their fastest-rising expenses.

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Election will have impact on sales or plans over next 12 months, many SMB leaders say