By Tiffany Hsu - Los Angeles Times

The job outlook at America’s small businesses is the worst it’s ever been, according to the new Gallup Small Business Index.

Last month, 21 percent of small-business owners said they expected to lower head count over the next six months – the highest percentage recorded by the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index since its launch in 2003. In July, the last time the data was compiled, 10 percent of bosses said they planned to shrink employee ranks.