The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to the lowest point in the 48-year history of the metric in June, as growing storm clouds on the horizon of the U.S. economy threaten the ability of small business owners to maintain profits.
The NFIB index fell by 3.6 points to an unprecedented low of 89.9, reflecting the growing challenges of maintaining a small business in the 2020s economy. This makes June the sixth consecutive month in which the index was reported below the 48-year average of 98. However, the drop-off was significantly more severe than in May, when the index fell by only 0.1 point to what was then an all-time low of 93.1. The score this month suggests a rapidly worsening outlook for small business owners, as many of the problems which have afflicted their enterprises show few signs of abating….