Economic Buzz: US small business optimism drops in September

The United States Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.8 points in September to 97.9, dropping below its 52-year average of 98.0, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said in a report on Tuesday. The Uncertainty Index rose one point from August to 90.

The NFIB Small Business Employment Index declined 1.2 points from the August figure, reaching 100.6. Actual sales improved slightly in September, with a seasonally adjusted net negative 8% of owners reporting higher nominal sales over the past three months, up one point from August. Labor quality or availability was cited as the single most important problem by 26% of owners, up three points from August, followed by inflation at 20%, up four points.

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