U.S. small business sentiment weakened slightly in February, as the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index eased to 98.8, down from 99.3 in January 2026. The latest reading, updated on 10 March 2026, suggests that while confidence among small firms remains relatively resilient, owners are turning somewhat more cautious about near‑term business conditions.
The modest decline indicates that small businesses may be encountering a more challenging environment than at the start of the year, though optimism remains close to the January level. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming readings to see whether February’s dip proves to be a temporary pause or the start of a broader softening in small business confidence.
