Metral
Markets

‘Every time you turn around, there’s a new price increase’: US small-business optimism plummets

At the same time, 29% of small-business owners also report having open positions they can’t fillAmid rising fuel prices and inflation across the US, confidence among small-business owners has declined in recent weeks as many continue to grapple with higher costs and economic uncertainty.According to the National Federation of Independent Business, its Small Business Optimism Index fell by 0.6 points to 95.3 in May. At the same time, 29% of small-business owners reported having open positions the

‘Every time you turn around, there’s a new price increase’: US small-business optimism plummets

‘Every time you turn around, there’s a new price increase’: US small-business optimism plummets

Published June 22, 2026 · Category: Markets

Overview

At the same time, 29% of small-business owners also report having open positions they can’t fill

Amid rising fuel prices and inflation across the US, confidence among small-business owners has declined in recent weeks as many continue to grapple with higher costs and economic uncertainty.

Details

According to the National Federation of Independent Business, its Small Business Optimism Index fell by 0.6 points to 95.3 in May. At the same time, 29% of small-business owners reported having open positions they could not fill – the lowest level since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Continue reading...

Source

Originally published at www.theguardian.com.

Related Articles

CD
Metral Newsroom

Metral covers global markets, stocks, crypto and the economy — desk research and data-driven analysis. Tip our newsroom: [email protected]

Email the newsroom →
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Data may be delayed up to 15 minutes. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.