Annmarie Hordern: U.S. small business optimism index rises above long-term average

Annmarie Hordern: U.S. small business optimism index rises above long-term average
Small business optimism rises in July

Annmarie Hordern reports that the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased by 2.4 points in July to reach 99.8, surpassing its 52-year average of 98.0.

This represents the highest level for the index since August 2025. Out of the 10 components of the Optimism Index, eight showed increases and two declined. Plans for hiring among small businesses improved substantially.

Hordern has recently highlighted the AI buildout as a key force influencing markets and shifting U.S. economic data, as noted in her report on technology trends. In separate coverage, she observed that the Japanese yen appears undervalued, citing strong economic performance and leadership in Japan in her analysis of currency markets. These earlier observations provide context for the latest improvement in small business optimism.

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