Despite still developing risks in the banking sector and some concerns over recession, business uncertainty appears to be leveling. Expected sales growth extended March's gains into April, rising to 4.58 percent from 4.35 percent. Year-ahed employment growth is also improving, to 4.44 percent from 4.26 percent. These gains underscore upside factors for the economy: easing inflation and a peak in interest rates.

The survey of business uncertainty is a panel survey measuring year-ahead expectations that US firms have about their own sales and employment growth. The sample covers all regions of the US economy, all industries except agriculture and government, and a broad range of firm sizes. Sample size is about 150 responses per month. Readings in Econoday's presentation are seasonally adjusted. The Atlanta Fed publishes this monthly survey in partnership with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and with Stanford University. (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta)

The survey of business uncertainty offers timely updates on how US companies are assessing and reacting to unfolding events including news about the overall economy, about business sentiment and policy developments as well as moves in the stock market and changes in interest rates. Investors can use the data to help forecast economic activity and better understand how business expectations and uncertainty affect sales, employment as well as investment and other economic outcomes.