NFIB Business Optimism Index is a monthly economic Index, released by the National Federation of Independent Business, which measures the small business levels of confidence and economic health. Higher than expected readings shoe increased confidence and optimism about the small businesses, and are positive for the US Dollar and the US economy, as small businesses are a significant part of the broader economy.
The United States NFIB Business Optimism Index
The United States NFIB Business Optimism Index latest reading for the month of June 2017 was 103.6, lower than the forecast reading of 104.4 and lower than the previous reading of 104.5. For the first semester of 2017 the Index peaked in January with a reading of 105.9, and has been in a decline ever since. The latest reading in fact was the lowest reading for the first semester of the year, reflecting lower optimism for the small businesses. The Index has a long-term average reading of 97.91 points for the period of years 1975-2017, an all-time high price of 107.70 in July of 1983, and an all-time low price of 80.10 in April of 1980.Yet despite the recent decline of the Index for the first semester of the year, the trend from 2013 is an uptrend, with a 1-year return of 9.60%.