Economy: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for MAY 2026

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for MAY 2026

The National Federation of Independent Business® (NFIB®) released its Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for May, 2026:
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Predicted: 95.0

Actual: 95.3

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Change from Previous Month: -0.63% (-0.6 point.)

Change from A Year Ago: -3.54% (-3.5 points.)

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CHART: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index

MAY 2026 Update

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The baseline "100" score is associated with 1986 survey data.

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From the Report:

"...CREDIT MARKETS

In May, the net percent of owners expecting easier credit conditions rose 1 point to a net -3% (seasonally adjusted). A net 4% reported their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts, up 1 point from April. In May, a net 6% of owners reported paying a higher interest rate on their most recent loan, up 4 points from April. The average interest rate paid on short-maturity loans was 7.8% in May, down 0.5 points from April. Twenty-seven percent of all owners reported borrowing regularly, up 5 points from April’s lowest level since November 2021.

INFLATION

In May, reports of both actual and planned price increases rose significantly. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose 6 points from April to a net 36% (seasonally adjusted), marking the highest reading since March 2023. Actual price increases are well above the historical average of net 13%. Unadjusted, 46% reported higher average prices (up 5 points), and 7% reported lower average selling prices (down 1 point). Looking forward to the next three months, a net 34% (seasonally adjusted) plan to increase prices, up 7 points from April and marking the highest reading since July 2022. Reports of inflation as the single most important problem rose for the third consecutive month in May. Eighteen percent of business owners cited inflation as their single most important business problem, up 2 points from April and marking the highest reading since December 2024. Inflation ranks as the second top problem..."