US small-business optimism rose 2.1 points to 97.4 in June, near the 52-year average of 98.0, the NFIB said. The share of owners naming inflation as the single most important problem climbed to its highest level in nearly two years, and a larger number of firms reported raising average selling prices. The NFIB uncertainty index eased 2 points to 89 but remains well above its long-run average of 68. The NFIB said the improvement and lower uncertainty likely reflected a temporary pullback in gasol

US small-business optimism rose 2.1 points to 97.4 in June, near the 52-year average of 98.0, the NFIB said. The share of owners naming inflation as the single most important problem climbed to its highest level in nearly two years, and a larger number of firms reported raising average selling prices. The NFIB uncertainty index eased 2 points to 89 but remains well above its long-run average of 68. The NFIB said the improvement and lower uncertainty likely reflected a temporary pullback in gasoline after a fragile US–Iran ceasefire; the truce later collapsed following tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and reciprocal military strikes, keeping fuel-price and geopolitical risk elevated. NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg said lower fuel costs have provided relief for businesses and consumers and firms expect operating conditions to improve over the next six months, though challenges persist.