Many owners feel election won't matter.

While the eyes of the world will be focused on the U.S. presidential race, many small-and mid-size business owners believe it doesn't matter who gets elected in November. A national survey of 1,197 business owners reveals that 19.3% expect the election to affect their business negatively; 17% anticipate positive changes; and 37.6% see no change ahead.

"Right or wrong, many business owners believe the outcome of the election will not significantly affect the key factors that can make or break their companies--taxes, money supply, trade policy government regulation, and health care costs," explains Donald J. Fletcher, president of George S. May International, Park Ridge, III., which conducted the poll. He notes that more-experienced business owners tend to be less concerned about the changes that may or may not result from campaign promises. "If they've been around awhile, business owners should have the flexibility to absorb the small ups and downs that might result from election-year changes."

The retail sector seems least...