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<p>Small businesses became more optimistic last month as the economic recovery continued to gain momentum.&nbsp; The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index climbed above 100 for the first time since last November, with seven of the ten components improving in the latest reading.</p>
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<p>Despite the growing confidence of small businesses, inflationary pressures are continuing to weigh.&nbsp; The NFIB’s report showed that the greatest share of small business owners are planning to raise prices since 1981 – a time when the economy was experiencing double-digit inflation. The NFIB elaborates on this worrisome trend by stating, “<em>The incidence of price hikes on Main Street is clearly on the rise as owners pass on rising labor and operating costs to their customers.</em>”</p>
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