SWAMPED BY SANDY: The National Federation of Independent Business says a survey of its members shows that Superstorm Sandy made small businesses even more reluctant to take on new workers in November.

LOW TIDE: The findings of the NFIB survey were similar to a report Wednesday from payroll company ADP that showed 19,000 new jobs were created at small businesses last month, the lowest number this year. The Labor Department issues its November employment report Friday.

LOOKING UP: The number of owners planning to hire rose 1 percentage point. But only 5 percent had plans to hire.