Small-business optimism in the United States remained steady in June, while the main concern is taxes, according to the influential National Federal of Independent Business (NFIB) index reading published on July 8.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index edged down by 0.2 percent of a point, to 98.6, slightly above the 51-year average of 98, according to the association’s press release. Increase in excess inventories, dwindling overall business health, and lower net future optimism pulled down on the index.
NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg said that the index did not fall in June due to the alleviation of economic uncertainty.
“Taxes remain the top issue on Main Street, but many others are still concerned about labor quality and high labor costs,” with nearly one in five small-business owners reporting taxes as their single most pressing concern, he said in the release….