The Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.7 points in July to 100.3, slightly above the 52- year average of 98. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, six increased, two decreased, and two were unchanged. The increase in those reporting better business conditions and that currently it is a good time to expand contributed most to the rise in the Index. While the Optimism Index news is positive, the Uncertainty Index news is less so. The latter increased by 8 points from June to 97, signaling significant worsening of small business uncertainty.

Small Business Trends & Research
The NFIB Research Center promotes greater understanding of small business and the conditions that impact it. The Center produces and disseminates various surveys and studies on small business, focusing on areas related to public policy’s effects.
Small Business Economic Trends Survey (SBET)

SBET Report
The NFIB Research Center releases a Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) data on the second of Tuesday each month.
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Jobs Report
A monthly SBET jobs report emphasizing the overall health and operation of the economy, including employment, labor costs, budgets, and more.
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Quarterly Industry Report
A quarterly Small Business Economic Trends industry report highlighting the construction, manufacturing, retail, and services industries.
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SBET Report
The NFIB Research Center releases a Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) data on the second of Tuesday each month.
Read More

Jobs Report
A monthly SBET jobs report emphasizing the overall health and operation of the economy, including employment, labor costs, budgets, and more.
Read More

Quarterly Industry Report
A quarterly Small Business Economic Trends industry report highlighting the construction, manufacturing, retail, and services industries.
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Additional NFIB Research Publications

Problems and Priorities
This is the eleventh edition of this publication. The volumes are among the…
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Small Business Tax Surveys
The 2024 NFIB Tax Survey assessed small business owners’ biggest tax chal…
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EY Tax Report
The EY (formerly Ernst & Young) macroeconomic analysis, released in conjunc…
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Small Business and Technology
The adoption of new or updated technology by small businesses is crucial to…
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2024 Small Businesses’ Contribution to the Community
This report provides insight into how and why small businesses contribute t…
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NFIB Banking Survey Part I: May 2023
Small business banking is an essential component to business operations. Th…
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NFIB Banking Survey Part II: August 2023
This report is a follow-up to the banking survey NFIB released in April 202…
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Financing Sales Survey: December 2023
This report is the third report in the 2023 small business credit survey se…
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NFIB Small Business and Inflation
Small employers were asked a series of questions on how the current state o…
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The U.S. Debt and Debt Limit Explained
The current U.S. debt is about $31.5 trillion. The current U.S. debt limit,…
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Small Business Health Insurance Survey
This survey offers data that is not otherwise widely available to better
u…
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Small Business Introduction to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Part…
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law December 22, 2017. The…
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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: One Year Later Part II
The U.S. federal tax code underwent significant restructuring over the last…
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NFIB Research’s Monthly Newsletter
August 2025
News Analysis
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September 5, 2025
New Hampshire Small Businesses Need Better Health Coverage Opti…
How policymakers can create more affordable options
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September 4, 2025
New Hampshire Small Businesses Need Better Health Coverage Opti…
Small Group market premiums rising, enrollment dropping
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September 3, 2025
Small Businesses Face Health Care Affordability Crisis
Congress needs to provide relief for cost-effective health insurance plans….
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September 2, 2025
Guest Column: General Assembly Needs to Look At Health Insuranc…
Rising costs threaten North Carolina’s small businesses.
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