Labor shortages and inflation impact business operations. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index decreased one point in September to 99.1. Three of the 10 Index components improved, five declined, and two were unchanged. “Small business owners are doing their best to meet the needs of customers, but are unable to […]

A record-high 48% of owners have unfilled job openings. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.2 points in May to 99.6. May saw a slight pause in the recovery of small business optimism after steadily increasing each month in 2021. As reported in NFIB’s monthly jobs report, a record-high […]

NFIB survey shows job openings remain at record highs. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index rose to 99.8 in April, an increase of 1.6 points from March. The Optimism Index has increased 4.8 points over the past three months since January but a record 44% of owners reported job openings […]

The NFIB research shows seven of ten index components increased in August. Uncertainty Index also increased. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Optimism Index increased 1.4 points in August to 100.2, a reading slightly above the historical 46-year average. Seven of the 10 Index components improved, two declined, and one was unchanged. The NFIB […]

The NFIB index continues its two month slide in wake of pandemic. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) small business optimism index took another dive in April, falling 5.5 points to 90.9, with owners expressing certainty the economy will weaken in the near-term, but expecting it to improve over the next six months. The […]

NFIB Optimism Index showed small businesses were thriving but NFIB Research Center continues monitoring coronavirus impact. Small business owners expressed slightly higher levels of optimism in February with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Optimism Index moving up 0.2 points to 104.5, a reading among the top 10 percent in the 46-year history of […]

Report sees largest increase in owners who expect better business conditions in more than a year. National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports small business optimism posted the largest month-over-month gain since May 2018, rising 2.3 points to 104.7 in November. The exceptional Optimism Index reading was bolstered by seven of the 10 Index components […]

Eight of 10 components improved in monthly NFIB study. The small business half of the economy continued its remarkable economic streak, posting a 0.6 point gain in the October National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Optimism Index. The 102.4 reading was buoyed by eight of the 10 Index components advancing, as talk of a recession […]

Optimism remains near historic high levels. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) small business Optimism Index maintained a historically solid reading, but took a dip in September, falling 1.3 points to 101.8. September’s figure falls within the top 20% of all readings in the Index’s 46-year history. The survey shows no sign of a […]

Predictions of looming recession weigh on outlook. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index fell 1.6 points to 103.1, remaining within the top 15 percent of readings. Overall, August was a good month for small business. However, optimism slipped because fewer owners said they expect better business conditions and real sales […]