The US NFIB Small Business Optimism Index jumped to 99.8 in July 2026, the highest since August last year, compared to 97.4 in June and beating forecasts of 97.5. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, eight increased, and two decreased. Hiring plans hit their highest level since October 2022 and contributed most to the rise in the Index, with a net 20% of owners planning to create new jobs over the next three months, up 9 points from June. In July, the top reported issue was labor quality or availability. Also, both actual and planned price increases dropped notably from June. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell 7 points to a net 31% and a net 28% plan to increase prices, down 4 points from June. Real sales expectations and reports of inventory levels as “too low” both fell by 2 points. However, the Uncertainty Index rose 2 points, driven by an increase in owners reporting uncertainty about whether it is a good time to expand and capital expenditure plans. source: National Federation of Independent Business

NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States increased to 99.80 points in July from 97.40 points in June of 2026. NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States averaged 97.99 points from 1975 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 108.80 points in August of 2018 and a record low of 80.10 points in April of 1980. This page provides - United States Nfib Business Optimism Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United States Nfib Business Optimism Index - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2026.

NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States increased to 99.80 points in July from 97.40 points in June of 2026. NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States is expected to be 96.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Nfib Business Optimism Index is projected to trend around 100.00 points in 2027 and 102.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-07-14 10:00 AM
NFIB Business Optimism Index
Jun 97.4 95.3 95.8 96
2026-08-11 10:00 AM
NFIB Business Optimism Index
Jul 99.8 97.4 97.5 96.8
2026-09-08 10:00 AM
NFIB Business Optimism Index
Aug


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
NFIB Business Optimism Index 99.80 97.40 points Jul 2026


United States Nfib Business Optimism Index
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is a composite of ten seasonally adjusted components calculated based on the answers of around 620 NFIB members. This questions include: plans to increase employment, plans to make capital outlays, plans to increase inventories, expect economy to improve, expect real sales higher, current inventory, current job openings, expected credit conditions, now a good time to expand, and earnings trend.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
99.80 97.40 108.80 80.10 1975 - 2026 points Monthly
SA

News Stream
US Small Business Optimism Highest in Nearly a Year
The US NFIB Small Business Optimism Index jumped to 99.8 in July 2026, the highest since August last year, compared to 97.4 in June and beating forecasts of 97.5. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, eight increased, and two decreased. Hiring plans hit their highest level since October 2022 and contributed most to the rise in the Index, with a net 20% of owners planning to create new jobs over the next three months, up 9 points from June. In July, the top reported issue was labor quality or availability. Also, both actual and planned price increases dropped notably from June. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell 7 points to a net 31% and a net 28% plan to increase prices, down 4 points from June. Real sales expectations and reports of inventory levels as “too low” both fell by 2 points. However, the Uncertainty Index rose 2 points, driven by an increase in owners reporting uncertainty about whether it is a good time to expand and capital expenditure plans.
2026-08-11
US Small Business Optimism Rebounds
The US NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased to 97.4 in June 2026, the highest in four months, compared to 95.3 in May and forecasts of 95.8. Expectations for better business conditions and real sales improved substantially. 21% 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. Inflation ranks as the top problem. Still, the share of owners planning to raise prices in the near future declined. Also, the net percent of owners expecting better business conditions in the next six months rose 10 points to a net 13%. “Lower fuel costs provide welcome relief for businesses as well as consumers, with firms anticipating improved operating conditions over the next six months. While there have been improvements in the overall environment, high interest rates and modest economic growth are causing owners to approach hiring and capital spending with caution”, said NFIB Chief Economist.
2026-07-14
US Small Business Optimism Lowest Since 2024
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in the US decreased to 95.3 in May 2026, the lowest since October 2024, compared to 95.9 in April and forecasts of 96. “More small business owners are struggling with significant and unpredictable hikes in fuel prices, which are more challenging for small businesses to pass on to their customers compared to their larger corporate competitors”, NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg, said. 19% of small business owners reported taxes as their single most important problem, up 2 points from April. It was followed by inflation, with 18% citing it as their single most important business problem. 70% reported that supply chain disruptions affected their business to some extent and only 16% plan to make capital outlays in the next three to six months, the lowest since 2009. A net 36% of small business owners raised average selling prices, the highest reading since March 2023. A net 34% plan to increase prices, the highest reading since July 2022.
2026-06-09