NFIB small business optimism index rises to 11‑month high in July

(Sharecast News) - The National Federation of Independent Business' small business optimism index rose to 99.8 in July, its strongest reading since last August, up from 97.4 in June and ahead of expectations. Eight of the index's ten components improved, with hiring plans showing the biggest gain. Real sales expectations and reports of inventories being "too low" both slipped by two points.

However, the uncertainty index increased two points to 91, remaining well above its long‑run average of 68, driven by more owners expressing doubt over whether it is a good time to expand and uncertainty around capital‑expenditure plans.







Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com