Small business optimism fell 2.1 points in February to 100.7, the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Optimism Index report found.
February’s reading was the fourth consecutive month above the 51-year average of 98 and is 4.4 points below its most recent peak of 105.1 in December 2024.
“Uncertainty is high and rising on Main Street, and for many reasons,” NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said in a statement. “Those small business owners expecting better business conditions in the next six months dropped and the percent viewing the current period as a good time to expand fell, but remains well above where it was in the fall.”
The top issues for business owners in February were labor costs and inflation, with 12% and 16%, respectively, of owners saying they were their most important problems in operating their business.
Read the full report here.
