SMALL BUSINESS OPTIMISM TAKES A SMALL STEP BACK AS UNCERTAINTY EASES IN OCTOBER

Summary from the TLDR Marketing newsletter

Small business optimism fell slightly last month, with the NFIB Index dropping 0.6 points to 98.2 as owners reported lower sales and declining profits. Hiring remains difficult, with 32% of firms unable to fill job openings and 27% citing labor quality as their top problem. Inflation, supply chain issues, and rising costs continue to challenge businesses, though fewer cited financing or insurance as major problems.