Business Optimism Falls in July. June Gains Nearly Erased

Source: NFIB

Small business optimism declined in July, wiping out nearly all of the gains recorded the previous month.

• The Optimism Index fell by 2.8 points to 99.7 in July, reversing almost the entire 2.9-point gain in June.
• The latest reading compares with 102.5 in June and 98.8 in July 2020.
• Decreases were seen in plans to increase employment, increase inventories, economic expansion expectations, real sales growth expectations, expansion sentiment, and earnings trends.
• Growth was seen in current inventory, current job openings, and plans to make capital outlays. Sentiment on credit conditions remained the same.
• Owners raising average selling prices fell 1 point to a net 46%. Some 5% reported lower average selling prices, and 52% reported higher average prices.