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.
