Small And Business Optimism At Highest Levels Since 2019 DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal Financial Group reported today that optimism among small and medium-sized businesses is the highest it's been since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with 57 percent of businesses optimistic about the overall economic outlook for the next 12 months, higher than before the pandemic began. While many small and medium-sized businesses reported serious concerns over their long-term health in 2020, optimism is on the rise according to the most recent pulse of the Principal Financial Well-Being Index, which surveyed more than U.S. 500 employers. Only 39% of employers said they were positive about their business prospects in November of 2020. However, widespread vaccine distribution in the U.S. and signs of economic resurgence is changing sentiments. According to the survey, 45% of respondents expect to fully recover from the impacts of COVID-19 over the next six months and 65% estimate within a year.