Small business morale in the U.S. eroded for the first time in three months in September as business struggle with rising inflation, weaker sales outlook and labor shortage, survey data from the National Federation of Independent Business showed on Tuesday.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped 2.0 points to 98.8 in September. Economists had forecast a score of 100.5. The reading remained above the survey's 52-year average of 98.
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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.