Press Releases

by Raymond J. Keating –  Based on the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the story on personal income, as well as personal consumption expenditures (PCE), is a mixed tale. Certain key aspects in the report are pointed in a positive direction, others in a negative direction, and we are still left […]

By Karen Kerrigan – The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst in the United States to fast-track innovation in almost every sector. Historic levels of economic disruption created by the public health crisis has ushered in a new era of technological innovation and adoption by the public. Specifically, given the nature of the COVID-19 virus, […]

In a July 28 Washington Times Op-Ed, SBE Council president & CEO Karen Kerrigan writes that federal government policy is moving in a direction that is not supported, or helpful to, small businesses. She points to a recent Morning Consult survey sponsored by SBE Council that reveals key findings: Unfortunately, the solutions being advocated and […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING – According to the latest GDP (gross domestic product) report, the U.S. economy grew at a real annualized rate of 6.5 percent in the second quarter of 2021. After four straight quarters of growth, U.S. real economic output recovered to where it was before the pandemic hit. That’s a noteworthy accomplishment […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING – After suffering a decline in April, durable goods new orders grew for the second consecutive month in June, according to the latest report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Since the major declines suffered in March and April of 2020, durable goods orders have now increased in 13 of the last […]

Please Join Us for a Capitol Hill Briefing July 22, 2021 1:00 p.m.-3:00 ET The digital economy grew significantly under COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns. Millions of entrepreneurs transformed their businesses and business models using digital tools and technology platforms. How did COVID-19 transform the small business and entrepreneurial sector? What trends will stick in a […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING – Given that government actions – such as taxes, regulation and protectionism – stand as the key obstacles to a vibrant, competitive market, a certain arrogance (and/or ignorance) can be detected when politicians and bureaucrats argue that more government is the only path to greater competition. Nevertheless, we have arrived at […]

by Raymond J. Keating – The residential housing business overwhelmingly is about small business. For example, based on the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 97.4 percent of employer firms in the residential construction sector of our economy have fewer than 20 employees, and 99.7 percent fewer than 100. Therefore, the hot housing sector […]

by Raymond J. Keating – The U.S. Census Bureau reported that retail sales bounced back in June after a decline in May. June retail and food services sales increased by 0.6 percent. And compared to a year earlier, retail sales were up a robust 18.0 percent. And versus pre-pandemic February 2020, June 2021 sales were […]

by Raymond J. Keating – The Federal Reserve’s latest take on industrial production – i.e., the actual output of the manufacturing, mining and utility sectors of our economy – indicated growth of 0.4 percent in June. The data show growth in three of the last four months, after a weather-related decline in February. The initial […]