United States NFIB Business Optimism Index

Last Release

Dec 31, 2024

Actual

105.1

Units In

Points

101.7

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Feb 11, 2025

Time to Release

26 Days 11 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
108.8 Aug 2018	80.1 Apr 1980	97.96 Points	1975-2024	National Federation of Independent Business

NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is a composite of ten seasonally adjusted components calculated based on the answers of around 620 NFIB members. This questions include: plans to increase employment, plans to make capital outlays, plans to increase inventories, expect economy to improve, expect real sales higher, current inventory, current job openings, expected credit conditions, now a good time to expand, and earnings trend.

Latest Updates

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in the US soared to 105.1 in December 2024, the highest since October 2018, compared to 101.7 in November and beating forecasts of 100.8. It is also the second consecutive month the reading stays above the 51-year average of 98, due to an improved economic outlook following the election. "Small business owners feel more certain and hopeful about the economic agenda of the new administration. Expectations for economic growth, lower inflation, and positive business conditions have increased in anticipation of pro-business policies and legislation in the new year", NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said. The net percent of owners expecting the economy to improve rose 16 points to 52%, the highest since Q4 1983. The percent of small business owners believing it is a good time to expand their business rose six points to 20%. In addition, 20% of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem, unchanged from November.