8legs: National federation of independent business

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#1 out of 4

The Ohio Small Business Employment Index stayed flat at 100.3 in May, after 100.4 in April.
29% of small businesses in May reported unfilled openings, the lowest since May 2020.
Openings for skilled workers fell to 27% while unskilled openings dropped to 9%.
A net 9% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, the lowest since 2020.
Overall hiring remained visible, with 55% of owners hiring or trying to hire in May.
Forty-six percent of owners reported few or no qualified applicants for open positions.
Labor costs reached the highest reading in the survey, signaling rising expenses for employers.
Thirteen percent of owners cited labor quality as their top problem in May.
Seasonally adjusted compensation rose, with net 31% of owners increasing pay in May.
An 18% share planned to raise compensation in the next three months.

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#2 out of 4

The NFIB data show small businesses nationwide facing higher costs under Trump and cost-spiking Republicans.
Prices for essentials such as food, utilities, gas, and building materials are rising for many small shops.
More than a third of small business owners reported raising prices last month.
Investments in new jobs by small businesses are at a six-year low.
The report highlights state-by-state examples of pressure on small businesses nationwide.
Examples include Virginia, Delaware, Alabama, California, and more facing growing costs and job pressures.
The release frames the issue as a contrast between Main Street struggles and Wall Street gains.
The piece aggregates references from outlets across the country to illustrate nationwide pressure.
The document foregrounds consumer price pressures as a central small business challenge.
The report cites rising costs as a driver of price hikes among small firms.

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#3 out of 4

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.6 points in May to 95.3, staying below its 52-year average of 98.0 as sentiment remained cautious among Main Street.
The Uncertainty Index rose to 91 in May, well above its historical average of 68, underscoring rising concern among small firms.
Eighteen percent of business owners cited inflation as their single most important business problem, up 2 points from April and the highest reading since December 2024.

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#4 out of 4

NFIB May index shows small-business optimism at 95.3, below the 52-year average, signaling a softer hiring outlook.
Owners see labor costs as the top problem, influencing cautious hiring and investment plans.
NFIB reports hiring openings and plans fell to six-year lows, indicating slower small-business growth.
Despite May gains, NFIB says many small firms shelved expansion due to inflation and costs.
BLS reported 172,000 May payroll gains, mostly from leisure/hospitality and local government.
NFIB notes inflation still staining the business climate, shaping hiring decisions.
Owners show caution about expansion despite localized job gains in the broader economy.
NFIB surveys show higher uncertainty among small-business owners about the next six to twelve months.
NFIB member businesses are concentrated in the suburbs, affecting how hiring trends appear.
The May 2026 NFIB survey reflects a softer small-business labor market despite overall payroll gains.

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