Confidence among the U.S. small businesses increased for a second month in a row in August, largely led by stronger sales expectations and easing uncertainty, while labor quality remained the main worry for businesses, results of a monthly survey by the National Federation of Independent Business showed on Tuesday.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 points to 100.8 in August. Economists were looking for a higher score of 101. The latest reading is about 3 points above the 52-year average of 98. Among the main components of the headline index, four increased, four decreased, and two were unchanged.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.