Financial News: U.S. Small Business Confidence Unexpectedly Drops Amid Ris

U.S. Small Business Confidence Unexpectedly Drops Amid Rising Cost Concerns

04/14/2026 - 14:11:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - Small business morale in the U.S. sunk in March as the conflict in the Middle East led to a surge in oil prices that raised cost concern for consumers and businesses, results of a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business showed on Tuesday.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 3.0 points to 95.8 in March, which is below its 52-year average of 98.0. Economists had forecast a higher score of 98.6 for the month. The industry group said the last time the Optimism Index fell below its historical average was April 2025.

The NFIB survey showed that the frequency of businesses reporting positive profit trends plummeted 11.0 points from February to a net negative 25 percent. This was the main drag on the headline index.

The Uncertainty Index climbed 4.0 points from February to 92, which is well above its historical average of 68.

"The 20 percent Small Business Deduction and other supportive small business tax provisions in the Working Families Tax Cut Act have had many positives for small business owners," NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said.

"However, the dramatic spike in oil prices has spooked consumers and owners alike," the economist noted.

"Small business owners are having to absorb those higher input costs and pass them along to their customers," Dunkelberg added.

The survey also revealed that business expectations declined or a third month in a row to its lowest level since October 2024. The employment index also fell from the previous month.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

Japan March Current Account Surplus Y4.681 Trillion (55 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Japan posted a current account surplus of 4.681 trillion yen in March, the Ministry of ...Full Story»

Australia Wage Price Data Due On Wednesday (02 hr(s), 48 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Australia will on Wednesday release Q1 numbers for wage prices and home loans, highlig ...Full Story»

Ten-Year Note Auction Attracts Below Average Demand (05 hr(s), 45 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Continuing this week's series of announcements of the results of its long-term sec ...Full Story»

U.S. Consumer Prices Increase 0.6% In April, In Line With Estimates (10 hr(s), 34 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - With energy prices surging, the Labor Department released a report on Tuesday showing ...Full Story»

Brazil Inflation Rises To 4.39% In April (11 hr(s), 39 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Brazil's consumer price inflation accelerated for the second straight month in Apr ...Full Story»

India Inflation Rises Slightly (12 hr(s), 05 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - India's consumer price inflation rose slightly in April, the Ministry of Statistic ...Full Story»

U.S. Consumer Prices Increase In Line With Estimates In April (12 hr(s), 12 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - With energy prices surging, the Labor Department released a report on Tuesday showing ...Full Story»

South Africa Jobless Rate Rises In Q1 (12 hr(s), 19 min(s), 58 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - South Africa's unemployment rate increased in the first quarter of 2026, data from ...Full Story»