U.S. small business sentiment rises modestly in December - NFIB
Reuters
U.S. small business sentiment rises modestly in December - NFIB
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. small business confidence increased modestly in December amid growing concerns about inflation and worker shortages, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The National Federation of Independent Business said its Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 point to 98.9 last month. Twenty-two percent of owners said inflation was the single most important problem for operations, up from 18% in November.
The economy is experiencing a period of high inflation as the COVID-19 pandemic snarls supply chains.
But there are tentative signs that supply bottlenecks are starting to ease, with an Institute for Supply Management survey last week showing manufacturers reporting improved supplier deliveries in December. Economists and Federal Reserve officials expect inflation will start subsiding this year.
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