RALEIGH — The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased 0.9 of a point in July to 91.9, marking the 19th consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98. Twenty-one percent of owners listed inflation as the single most important problem in operating their business, down three points from June.
NFIB North Carolina State Director Gregg Thompson said, “Small business optimism may be improving, but we’re still not where we want to be. Inflation is still an issue for consumers and businesses alike, and rising prices create a lot of economic anxiety and uncertainty.”
