United States NFIB Business Optimism Index

Last Release

Oct 31, 2024

Actual

93.7

Units In

Points

91.5

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Dec 12, 2024

Time to Release

28 Days 10 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
108.8 Aug 2018	80.1 Apr 1980	97.94 Points	1975-2024	National Federation of Independent Business

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.

Latest Updates

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.