Persistent inflation dogs small business confidence: US Chamber
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey reveals that persistent inflation remains the top concern for small business owners in Q2 2026, with 57% citing it as their primary worry, up from Q1. While 69% of owners report their business is in good health and 66% expect revenue growth, only 33% rate the local economy as good, an 8-point drop. Consumer price inflation cooled to 3.5% in June from 4.2% in May, driven by a 5.7% decline in energy prices. The NFIB's Small Business Optimism Index rose to 97.4 but remained below its historical average for the fourth consecutive month. The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index fell 0.2% in June, though AI-related business investment is expected to support activity. Traders see 83.1% odds of a Federal Reserve rate hike by year-end.
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