Latest news with #OptimismIndex
Fibre2Fashion
10-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
US small business optimism steady amid mixed signals in June: NFIB
The Uunited States NFIB Small Business Optimism Index held steady in June, dipping by 0.2 points to 98.6, slightly above the 51-year average of 98. A significant rise in respondents reporting excess inventories was the primary factor behind the index's decline. The Uncertainty Index dropped by five points from May to 89. Nineteen per cent of small business owners cited taxes as their most pressing issue, marking an increase from May, and once again ranked as the top concern. The last time taxes reached 19 per cent was in July 2021, NFIB said in a press release. 'Small business optimism remained steady in June while uncertainty fell,' said Bill Dunkelberg , chief economist at NFIB . 'Taxes remain the top issue on Main Street, but many others are still concerned about labour quality and high labour costs.' The US NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in June declined slightly to 98.6, primarily due to concerns about inventory levels, with a net 5 per cent reporting stocks as 'too low'. Expectations for better business conditions and higher sales volumes fell. Labour quality remains a concern for 16 per cent of owners, while inflation pressures eased to 11 per cent. The June index showed a slight dip, with a net negative 5 per cent of business owners viewing their current inventory stocks as 'too low'. This marks a six-point decrease from May, signalling a net increase in inventories. In June, 7 per cent of owners reported inventories as 'too low', down from 8 per cent in May, while 12 per cent reported inventories as 'too high', up from 7 per cent in May. This shift in inventory concerns was the primary factor behind the decline in the Optimism Index. Business owners' expectations for better conditions dropped by three points, standing at a net 22 per cent, still above the 51-year average of 3 per cent. Similarly, expectations for higher real sales volumes fell by three points to a net 7 per cent. In terms of capital investment, 21 per cent of owners' plan capital outlays over the next six months, a slight decrease from May. Labour quality remains a key challenge for small businesses, with 16 per cent of owners citing it as their most important issue, unchanged from May. This marks a decline from April 2020, when labour quality complaints were lower. The percentage of small business owners reporting labour as their top concern aligns with other data suggesting a more tempered labour market across the economy. Inflation pressures appear to be easing, with 11 per cent of owners now citing higher input costs as their most important problem, down three points from May and the lowest level since September 2021. The overall health of small businesses has significantly deteriorated. The percentage of business owners rating their company as in 'excellent' or 'good' health fell, with 8 per cent reporting excellent health (down six points) and 49 per cent reporting good health (down six points). Conversely, 35 per cent rated their business health as fair (up seven points), while 7 per cent reported poor health (up three points). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fibre2Fashion
09-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
UK employment stalls despite early signs of economic recovery: BDO
The UK's employment outlook remains stagnant, with labour market stuck near its lowest level in over a decade, even as the broader economy shows early signs of a summer recovery, according to BDO. The Employment Index fell again in June to 94.22 from 94.32 the previous month, nearly at a 13-year low. Despite some positive output signals from the services sector, hiring remains subdued as businesses continue to grapple with cost pressures, BDO said in its latest Business Trends report. BDO's June 2025 Business Trends report showed that UK's employment outlook remains stagnant, with the Employment Index near a 13-year low at 94.22. Despite a modest rise in output, business confidence and hiring remain subdued due to rising costs and NICs. Inflation pressures are easing slightly, but optimism is predicted to stay below average through 2025, as firms adopt a cautious stance. The report stated that the demand for labour is adjusting in response, with many firms holding back on recruitment. This caution is reflected in payrolled employment figures, which fell by 109,000 in May—nearly twice the drop seen in April—pointing to a possible acceleration in job losses. Business confidence continues to remain underwhelming, with BDO's Optimism Index falling to 91.58 from 92.3 in the previous month. Core cost pressures, particularly around labour, continue to drag on margins, with the prospect of further tax rises in the Autumn adding further to a cautious sentiment. Greater certainty following recent trade agreements with the US, EU and India offered a small boost to manufacturing business sentiment, but the sector remains volatile with no clear easing of these headwinds in sight. The report predicted optimism will stay well below long-term averages through the second half of the year. 'There are some positive signals in the UK economy, with the BDO Output Index rising from 97.16 in May to 97.51 at the end of June, marking two months of consecutive increase,' said report. The BDO inflation index decreased to 99.1, down from 99.59 the previous month. Meanwhile, the BDO Employment Index registered at 94.22, marginally down from May's 94.32. 'We're seeing early signs of recovery in business output, largely down to the services sector who have buoyed the economy for a second month in a row,' said Scott Knight, head of growth at BDO. 'But, as we all know, we can't rely on good weather forever. Businesses are treading carefully in wait-and-see mode when they need to be bold in their recruitment and investment. Without lower labour costs, clear signalling from government and a stable policy environment, growth will remain subdued.' The report is based on data drawn from multiple surveys, collectively covering responses from over 4,000 businesses across the UK. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Wall Street Journal
08-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Trump: No Extensions to Aug. 1 Reciprocal Tariff Deadline - Minute Briefing
Full Transcript This transcript was prepared by a transcription service. This version may not be in its final form and may be updated. Ariana Aspuru: Here's your midday brief for Tuesday, July 8th, I'm Ariana Aspuru for the Wall Street Journal. President Trump said he's sticking to his August 1st date to impose so-called reciprocal tariffs on many US trading partners. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said quote, "No extensions will be granted." This comes a day after sending letters to various countries warning them of the levies. Rescue teams in Texas patrolled by foot and by airboat in search of those still missing from flash floods that struck parts of the state over the holiday weekend, leaving more than 100 confirmed dead. As the death toll climbed in several counties late yesterday, an unknown number of people were still missing. The National Federation of Independent Business said today that its Optimism Index, which is a gauge of sentiment among small firms, edged down 0.2 points to 98.6 in June. The NFIB said excess inventories were a key factor in the decline. And Kirk Tanner will be stepping down as Wendy's CEO later this month to assume the top role at Hershey succeeding Michele Buck as president and CEO of the chocolate company effective August 18th. Ken Cook, Wendy's CFO will be interim CEO while the board finds a permanent successor. We'll have a lot more coverage of the day's news on the WSJ's What's News podcast. You can add it to your playlist on your smart speaker or listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US small business sentiment improves in May, but uncertainty rising
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. small-business confidence improved in May, likely because of a de-escalation in trade tensions between Washington and China, though uncertainty over the outlook mounted amid worries over the fate of President Donald Trump's tax-cut agenda. The National Federation of Independent Business said on Tuesday its Small Business Optimism Index increased three points to 98.8 last month, rising for the first time since December. The trade truce resulted in the Trump administration slashing tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% from 145% through early August. That probably led small business owners to anticipate higher sales, accounting for most of the increase in the index. But the survey's uncertainty index rose two points to 94. "Congress hasn't passed the big beautiful bill yet, and Trump is still messing with tariffs, the uncertainty level is rising," said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. "While tariffs might be a bumpy road while countries negotiate trade deals, Congress can do their part by passing the BBB sooner rather than later to take that piece of uncertainty off the table." Trump's so-called big beautiful bill squeaked through the U.S. House of Representatives last month, but is facing stiff opposition from conservative Republicans in the Senate amid concerns that it would significantly add to the nation's already large debt. It is at the center of a feud between Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. The share of small businesses expecting higher inflation-adjusted sales volumes jumped 11 points to 10%, accounting for most of the improvement in the Optimism Index. There was also a big rise in the proportion expecting better business conditions, though the share reporting taxes as their single most important problem increased. The share viewing current inventory as "too low" was the highest since August 2022. That, together with lengthening delivery times of inputs to factories, suggests shortages of some goods and price hikes could be looming. The survey also confirmed the labor market was slowing. The share of owners reporting labor quality was the single most important problem for their business dropped close to levels last seen in the spring of 2020. The share raising compensation was the lowest since early 2021. "Overall, the economy will continue to stumble along until the major sources of uncertainty are resolved," said Dunkelberg. "It's hard to steer a ship in the fog."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US small business sentiment improves in May, but uncertainty rising
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. small-business confidence improved in May, likely because of a de-escalation in trade tensions between Washington and China, though uncertainty over the outlook mounted amid worries over the fate of President Donald Trump's tax-cut agenda. The National Federation of Independent Business said on Tuesday its Small Business Optimism Index increased three points to 98.8 last month, rising for the first time since December. The trade truce resulted in the Trump administration slashing tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% from 145% through early August. That probably led small business owners to anticipate higher sales, accounting for most of the increase in the index. But the survey's uncertainty index rose two points to 94. "Congress hasn't passed the big beautiful bill yet, and Trump is still messing with tariffs, the uncertainty level is rising," said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. "While tariffs might be a bumpy road while countries negotiate trade deals, Congress can do their part by passing the BBB sooner rather than later to take that piece of uncertainty off the table." Trump's so-called big beautiful bill squeaked through the U.S. House of Representatives last month, but is facing stiff opposition from conservative Republicans in the Senate amid concerns that it would significantly add to the nation's already large debt. It is at the center of a feud between Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. The share of small businesses expecting higher inflation-adjusted sales volumes jumped 11 points to 10%, accounting for most of the improvement in the Optimism Index. There was also a big rise in the proportion expecting better business conditions, though the share reporting taxes as their single most important problem increased. The share viewing current inventory as "too low" was the highest since August 2022. That, together with lengthening delivery times of inputs to factories, suggests shortages of some goods and price hikes could be looming. The survey also confirmed the labor market was slowing. The share of owners reporting labor quality was the single most important problem for their business dropped close to levels last seen in the spring of 2020. The share raising compensation was the lowest since early 2021. "Overall, the economy will continue to stumble along until the major sources of uncertainty are resolved," said Dunkelberg. "It's hard to steer a ship in the fog." Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
