Topics:
September 18, 2023
?Optimism among small business owners declined in August
Price Increases Continue as Inflation Remains a Top Problem, Report Shows
- Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months deteriorated seven points from July to a net negative 37%; however, while still at recession levels, the reading is 24 percentage points better than that of last June, which was a net negative 61%.
- Forty percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, down two points from July but remain historically high.
- The net percentage of owners who expect real sales to be higher decreased two points from July to a net negative 14%.
Get to know NFIB
NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.
Related Articles

September 12, 2025
Understanding the PUMP Act and PWFA: What Employers Must Know t…
Recent federal laws have increased workplace duties for employers: the Prov…
Read More

September 10, 2025
NFIB: Major Win for Main Street as FinCEN Promises to Destroy S…
NFIB released a statement following the Financial Crimes Enforcement Networ…
Read More

September 9, 2025
E-Verify for Small Businesses: Tips and Tools for Verifying Emp…
E-Verify is a free, online system that lets employers electronically verify…
Read More

September 9, 2025
NEW NFIB SURVEY: Small Business Optimism Improves Again
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 9, 2025) – The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index…
Read More