NFIB says small-business optimism rose in July to 99.8
NFIB said its July Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.4 points to 99.8, above the long-term average, as hiring plans improved.
NFIB said its Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.4 points in July to 99.8, above the group’s 52-year average of 98.0 and the highest level since August 2025.
NFIB said hiring plans and capital expenditure intentions helped lift the index, even as uncertainty remained elevated.
NFIB said eight of the 10 index components increased in July, while two declined. Hiring plans were the biggest contributor to the gain. Real sales expectations fell by 2 points, and reports that inventory levels were “too low” also fell by 2 points.
The Uncertainty Index rose 2 points from June to 91, still above its historical average of 68. NFIB said the increase was driven by more owners saying it is not a good time to expand and by capital expenditure plans.
NFIB also said its Employment Index rose to 102.1 in July after four consecutive months of decline. A seasonally adjusted 36% of owners reported job openings they could not fill, up 4 points from June and the highest level since June 2025.
In a statement cited by Texas Border Business, NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business optimism rose again in July because of a significant increase in owners expecting to hire and improved plans for capital expenditures. He also said uncertainty is currently elevated and that Main Street expects business conditions to keep improving.
NFIB Assistant State Director Sarah Horn said there are positive signs for the small business economy. Horn said Main Street Texans are cautiously optimistic as they plan to hire and invest in their businesses.
NFIB said its Small Business Economic Trends data has been collected through quarterly surveys since the fourth quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. The group said respondents are randomly drawn from NFIB membership and that the July survey was conducted in July 2026.
The July reading will be part of NFIB’s next monthly update, which the source says is released on the second Tuesday of each month.
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Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.
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