News
Small businesses face higher costs as Middle East tensions drive up oil prices
5+ hour, 7+ min ago (340+ words) Small businesses are already feeling the impact of rising oil prices tied to tensions in the Middle East, with higher operational costs and cautious consumer spending affecting revenue, according to business expert and Attorney Parag Amin. On this episode of…...
Small business optimism steady as uncertainty rises in January
1+ mon, 2+ day ago (214+ words) Small business optimism held steady in January even as uncertainty climbed, according to the latest Small Business Economic Trends report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The January survey introduced a new measure to better reflect labor market…...
Why growth-driven policy matters more than ever for small businesses
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (588+ words) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is urging policymakers and entrepreneurs to embrace a fearless, pro-growth mindset as small businesses enter 2026 with momentum but face pivotal policy choices that could shape long-term economic outcomes. Joining us on the latest episode of U.S. Chamber…...
3 driving forces behind small business growth in 2026
1+ mon, 4+ week ago (509+ words) Small businesses are entering a defining era where speed, authenticity, and networks determine success. LinkedIn's December 2025 report, "How Small Businesses Can Win in 2026," analyzed data from over 160 million professionals across 18 million small businesses to identify three forces reshaping growth: AI…...
Q4 small business resiliency counters economic uncertainty
3+ mon, 3+ day ago (394+ words) Small business confidence dipped in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife Small Business Index. Joining us on the latest U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Update is Tom Sullivan to break down these quarterly results....
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for second time this year
4+ mon, 2+ week ago (310+ words) The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point on Wednesday for the second time this year, bringing the federal rate range to 3.75%4%. The decision aims to boost economic activity amid a sluggish labor market and persistent inflation....
Small business job openings stay elevated in September
5+ mon, 5+ day ago (246+ words) Despite the shortage, small business hiring intentions remain strong. A seasonally adjusted net 16% of owners plan to create new jobs over the next three months, up slightly from August and representing the fourth consecutive monthly increase. Overall, 58% of owners reported…...
Federal Reserve moves to mitigate economic slowdown, rate cut approved
6+ mon, 2+ day ago (355+ words) The Federal Reserve on Wednesday approved a widely anticipated quarter-point cut to its benchmark overnight lending rate, lowering it to a range of 4.00%-4.25%, and indicated that two more reductions could come before the end of the year. The move reflects…...
August retail sales exceed expectations amid rising prices
6+ mon, 3+ day ago (247+ words) U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in August, fueled primarily by back-to-school shopping, even as rising prices and a weakening job market signal growing pressure on consumers. The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that overall sales rose 0.6% from July, which was…...
Powell hints at rate cuts as Fed balances inflation and job market
6+ mon, 3+ week ago (395+ words) On Friday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicated the possibility of interest rate cuts in the coming months, though he did not specify a timeline. He emphasized that the central bank would proceed cautiously while assessing the impacts of tariffs…...