U.S. small-business sentiment increased in June, but the share of owners reporting that inflation was their “single most important” problem was the highest in nearly two years.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said on July 14 that its Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.1 points in June to 97.4, nearing its 52-year average of 98.
It said that expectations for better business conditions and real sales expectations “improved substantially and primarily drove the rise in the Index.”
However, its Uncertainty Index fell two points from May to 89, remaining well above its historical average of 68.
Part of its key findings found that 21 percent of business owners cited inflation as their single “most important business problem,” up three points from May and marking the highest reading since October 2024. Inflation ranks as the top problem….