Inflation still main concern (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Washington, 13 Aug - US small-business confidence rose 2.2 points in July to 93.7, the highest reading since February 2022, even though this was the thirty-first consecutive month it came in below the 50-year average of 98, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said.

Inflation remained the top issue among small business owners, with 25% reporting it as their single most important problem in operating their business, up four points from June.

'Despite this increase in optimism, the road ahead remains tough for the nation's small business owners,' said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. 'Cost pressures, especially labor costs, continue to plague small business operations, impacting their bottom line. Owners are heading towards unpredictable months ahead, not knowing how future economic conditions or government policies will impact them.' The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell five points from June to a seasonally adjusted net 22%.

Seasonally adjusted, a net 24% plan price hikes in July, down two points and the lowest reading since April 2023.

Thirty-eight percent of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, up one point from June.

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(RADIOCOR) 13-08-24 19:10:27 (0504) 5 NNNN