Washington CNN —America’s small businesses felt gloomier in August as they continued to struggle with inflation and hiring qualified workers, according to a survey from the National Federation of Independent Business released Tuesday.
Optimism among more than 600 small businesses surveyed declined in August from the prior month, snapping a three-month streak of improving sentiment.
The share of small business owners saying they had job openings that were hard to fill stood at 40% last month, down slightly from July but still historically high.
“With small business owners’ views about future sales growth and business conditions discouraging, owners want to hire and make money now from strong consumer spending,” said Bill Dunkelberg, the NFIB’s chief economist, in the release.
The US economy remains on strong footing, despite rapid rate hikes, with consumer spending jumping 0.8% in July and retail sales advancing 0.7% that month.
Persons:
Washington CNN —, ”, Bill Dunkelberg, Goldman Sachs, Simona Mocuta
Organizations:
Washington CNN, National Federation of Independent Business, Federal Reserve, Labor Department, American Bankers, Economic, Committee, State Street Global Advisors