The National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Optimism Index decreased in February to 89.4, marking the 26th consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. Twenty-three percent of small-business owners reported that inflation was their single most important business problem in operating their business, up three points from January and replacing labor quality as the top problem.
“While inflation pressures have eased since peaking in 2021, small-business owners are still managing the elevated costs of higher prices and interest rates,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “The labor market has also eased slightly as small-business owners are having an easier time attracting and Please log in to see the rest of this story.
