23% of small business owners cite inflation as their top concern, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses' Optimism Index drops to 89.4 in February.

Inflation is a major concern for small businesses, with 23% of owners citing it as their top issue in a recent survey. The National Federation of Independent Businesses' Optimism Index dropped to 89.4 in February, below the 50-year average of 98 for 26 consecutive months. Inflation rose 0.4% from January to February, and consumer prices increased 3.2% compared to the previous year. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, also climbed 0.4% from January to February, outpacing the Federal Reserve's 2% target.

March 19, 2024
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