US 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 said its Small Business Optimism Index rebounded 2.1 points to 97.4 last month, approaching its 52-year average of 98.0.

Inflation Concerns

Twenty-one percent of business owners cited inflation as their single most important business problem, up 3 points from May, and the highest level since October 2024. The share reporting raising average selling prices increased 2 points to 38%, the highest reading since January 2023.

The government is expected to report that the Consumer Price Index increased 3.8% on a year-over-year basis in June after surging 4.2% in May. Small business employment eased for a fourth straight month, with the survey’s jobs index dipping to 100.2 from 100.3 in May.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.