Co-Hosts Holly Wade and Peter Hansen dive into the June Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) report. Optimism rose 2.1 points to 97.4 as lower fuel costs provide welcome relief for businesses as well as consumers. Inflation ranks as small business owners’ top problem, up 3 points from May and at its highest since October 2024. Holly and Peter unpack this plus a rebound in hiring signals after May's anomalous dip.

Learn more about the Small Business Economic Trends report and small business expectations at NFIB.com/SBET

Key highlights include: 

• Index jumps 2.1 points; sales expectations, capital spending, and business-conditions outlook all climb (0:27)
• Inflation ticks up for a fourth straight month even as fuel prices retreat (1:31)
• Employment Index holds flat at 100.2 (7:10)
• Labor questions outside the core index reverse May's anomalous swings (8:56)
• What the data means for the Fed under incoming chair Kevin Warsh, plus what to watch in July (17:33)