The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in the US jumped to 101.7 in November 2024, the highest reading since June 2021, compared to 93.7 in October and beating forecasts of 94.2. It is also the first time in 34 months that the reading is above the 50-year average of 98, in response to the presidential election. “The election results signal a major shift in economic policy, leading to a surge in optimism among small business owners. Main Street also became more certain about future business conditions following the election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. Owners are particularly hopeful for tax and regulation policies that favor strong economic growth as well as relief from inflationary pressures. In addition, small business owners are eager to expand their operations”, NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. The net percent of owners expecting the economy to improve rose 41 points to a net 36%, the highest since June 2020. source: National Federation of Independent Business

NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States increased to 101.70 points in November from 93.70 points in October of 2024. NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States averaged 97.95 points from 1975 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 108.80 points in August of 2018 and a record low of 80.10 points in April of 1980. This page provides - United States Nfib Business Optimism Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United States Nfib Business Optimism Index - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on January of 2025.

NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States increased to 101.70 points in November from 93.70 points in October of 2024. NFIB Business Optimism Index in the United States is expected to be 102.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations.




Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2024-11-12 11:00 AM
NFIB Business Optimism Index
Oct 93.7 91.5 91.9 91.6
2024-12-10 11:00 AM
NFIB Business Optimism Index
Nov 101.7 93.7 94.2 94.1
2025-01-14 11:00 AM
NFIB Business Optimism Index
Dec 101.7 102


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
NFIB Business Optimism Index 101.70 93.70 points Nov 2024

United States Nfib Business Optimism Index
NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is a composite of ten seasonally adjusted components calculated based on the answers of around 620 NFIB members. This questions include: plans to increase employment, plans to make capital outlays, plans to increase inventories, expect economy to improve, expect real sales higher, current inventory, current job openings, expected credit conditions, now a good time to expand, and earnings trend.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
101.70 93.70 108.80 80.10 1975 - 2024 points Monthly
SA


News Stream
US Small Business Optimism Rises to Over 3-Year High
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in the US jumped to 101.7 in November 2024, the highest reading since June 2021, compared to 93.7 in October and beating forecasts of 94.2. It is also the first time in 34 months that the reading is above the 50-year average of 98, in response to the presidential election. “The election results signal a major shift in economic policy, leading to a surge in optimism among small business owners. Main Street also became more certain about future business conditions following the election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. Owners are particularly hopeful for tax and regulation policies that favor strong economic growth as well as relief from inflationary pressures. In addition, small business owners are eager to expand their operations”, NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. The net percent of owners expecting the economy to improve rose 41 points to a net 36%, the highest since June 2020.
2024-12-10
US Small Business Optimism Rises in October
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in the US increased to 93.7 in October 2024, the highest in three months, compared to 91.5 in September and much higher than forecasts of 91.9. “With the election over, small business owners will begin to feel less uncertain about future business conditions. Although optimism is on the rise on Main Street, small business owners are still facing unprecedented economic adversity. Low sales, unfilled jobs openings, and ongoing inflationary pressures continue to challenge our Main Streets, but owners remain hopeful as they head toward the holiday season”, said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. A net negative 20% of all owners reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, down three points from September and the lowest reading since July 2020. Also, the net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes rose five points to a net negative 4%, the highest reading of this year.
2024-11-12
US Small Business Optimism Misses Expectations
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in the US increased to 91.5 in September 2024 from 91.2 in August, missing forecasts of 91.7. This was the 33rd consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index rose 11 points to 103, the highest reading recorded. Fifty-one percent of owners reported capital outlays in the last six months, down five points from August. Meanwhile, the number of owners reporting inventory gains fell four points to a net negative 13% (seasonally adjusted), the lowest reading since June 2020. “Small business owners are feeling more uncertain than ever,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Uncertainty makes owners hesitant to invest in capital spending and inventory, especially as inflation and financing costs continue to put pressure on their bottom lines. Although some hope lies ahead in the holiday sales season, many Main Street owners are left questioning whether future business conditions will improve.
2024-10-08