US small business optimism drops to 98.7 in August
US small business optimism fell to 98.7 in August. Over the past three months, net —9% of owners reported higher nominal sales, the lowest since November 2025.
Actual sales weakened, with a net —9% of owners reporting higher nominal sales over the past three months, the lowest reading since November 2025. Reports of inflation as the single most important problem rose to 16%, now tied with taxes as the second-most cited issue. Concerns around labour quality…