Iran Conflict and Rising Fuel Prices Impact Small Business Optimism
Small business optimism in the U.S. fell to its lowest level since April 2025 due to the ongoing Iran conflict and rising fuel prices, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Despite this decline, small business owners remain more optimistic than consumers, whose economic sentiment hit a historic low in April. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped to 95.8 in March, below the historic average of 98.
Topics: economy Iran conflict NFIB survey oil prices small business