The Atlanta Fed survey of business uncertainty shows businesses are increasingly optimistic about the outlook for their revenues and hiring in the year ahead, presumably reflecting their view of business prospects since the November election results.

Businesses surveyed in December see revenues up 3.97 percent in the year ahead, up from 3.89 percent in November and 3.81 percent in October. They see employment up 4.46 percent in December, up from 4.24 percent in November and 4.08 percent in October.

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.