-
NFIB small business economic trends
The Optimism Index rose 2.2 points in July to 93.7, the highest reading since February 2022. However, this is the 31st consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. The last time the Index was at or above the average of 98 was December 2021. Of the 10 index components, 5 increased, 2 decreased, and 3 were unchanged. Thirty-eight percent (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, up 1 point from June. Thirty-two percent have openings for skilled workers (up 1 point) and 16 percent have openings for unskilled labor (unchanged). The difficulty in filling ... (full story)