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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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.