US SMALL BUSINESSES JUST LOST SOME CONFIDENCE. ๐
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index data for August 2026 has just been released:
* 98.7 points, down 1.1 points from 99.8 in July
* Still above the 52-year average: 98.0
* Uncertainty Index: 89, down 2 points
* 35% of businesses reported job openings that are still unfilled, down 1 point
* Net hiring plans: 17%, down 3 points
* Only 10% expect the economy to improve, down 5 points
* Inflation remains the biggest issue, rising to 16%
Notable point: sentiment is still above the long-term average, but expectations for the economy and hiring plans are both cooling off.
Small businesses: โThe economy is fine.โ
Also small businesses: โPlease donโt ask about next month.โ ๐
Do you think this is just a cooling-off phase, or a sign that the US economy is starting to lose momentum?
#Macro #NFIB #USEconomy #BrainrotCrypto