The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.1 points in June to 97.4, nearing its 52-year average of 98.0. Expectations for better business conditions and real sales expectations improved substantially and primarily drove the rise in the Index.

Key Findings

The Uncertainty Index fell 2 points from May to 89, remaining well above its historical average of 68. A seasonally adjusted 32% of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in June, up 3 points from May’s lowest level since May 2020.

Twenty-one percent of business owners cited inflation as their single most important business problem, up 3 points from May and marking the highest reading since October 2024. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose 2 points from May to a net 38% (seasonally adjusted).

There was good news on the forward-looking inflation metric, as the share of owners planning to raise prices in the near future declined. Looking forward to the next three months, a net 32% (seasonally adjusted) plan to increase prices, down 2 points from May’s highest reading since July 2022.

Original reporting: NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) — read the source article.