Newtek Business Services Corp., The Small Business Authority, announced today the release of the SB Authority Index of small business indicators for July 2015 which reached 130.96 points.  Approved SBA lending volumes, the Russell Microcap Index and new entity formation led the increase. The SB Authority Index is up 0.10% from June 2015.  On a year-over-year comparison, the SB Authority Index is up 1.75%.

Barry Sloane, Chairman, President and CEO of The Small Business Authority commented, "Our index measures trends in the small business economy across 8 important subcategories. The index is depicting slow, anemic growth. Is our economy growing at first quarter GDP of 0.6% or at the recently reported 3.7%? Our index has depicted growth, albeit slow growth, for many quarters and months. We are not growing at zero or 4% but clearly our index is telling us things are slowing. Employment growth is slow. Fiscal and monetary stimulus tools are wearing off after years of offering stimulation. We can look forward to a slowing positive trend as the global economy slows. The United States economy, led by small business growth, is the best proxy for a positive trend in the world. Most small businesses are insulated from China, oil price declines and major stock price index swings."