The MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index recorded an overall score of 69.3, indicating a pause in the upward trend of the Index. The fourth-quarter score is down less than one-half a point from the third quarter’s record high of 69.7 but still reflects general optimism from the small-business community. The Q4 2018 index is based on survey results of 1,000 small-business owners.