The Atlanta Fed's survey of businesses across the US finds expectations improved in April for the year ahead after declining sequentially each month in the first quarter.

The year ahead business sales expectation sees revenues rising by 3.65 percent in April, up from 3.53 percent in March, 3.72 percent in February and 3.83 percent in January. Year-ahead employment is expected to rise by 4.46 percent in the April survey versus 4.38 percent in March, 4.41 percent in February and 4.55 percent in January.

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.