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Notizie economiche
08.10.2024

U.S. small business optimism index rises less than predicted in September, - NFIB report shows

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported on Tuesday its Small Business Optimism Index fell by 0.3 point to 91.5 in July, following a 2.5-point fall in the previous month. This marked the 33rd straight month the indicator stayed below the 50-year average of 98.0.

Economists had predicted the index to rise to 91.7 in September.

According to the report, the September gain in the headline gauge was due to increases in five components, led by a measure of small business owners expecting real sales to be higher (+9 points) and a measure of small business owners reporting positive profit trends (+3 points). These advances, however, were partly offset by declines in such three indicators, as a measure of small business owners reporting they have job openings that they could not fill in the current period (-6 points), a measure of small business owners planning capital outlays in the next few months (-5 point) and a measure of small business owners planning to increase inventories in the coming months (-2 points). Meanwhile, the remaining two components were unchanged.

Commenting on the latest data, Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB Chief Economist, noted that small business owners were feeling more uncertain than ever. “Uncertainty makes owners hesitant to invest in capital spending and inventory, especially as inflation and financing costs continue to put pressure on their bottom lines,” he added. “Although some hope lies ahead in the holiday sales season, many Main Street owners are left questioning whether future business conditions will improve.”

 

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