Inflation remains a headache for small business owners

Inflation remains a top concern for small businesses, which reported lower optimism in February. The National Federation of Small Business Optimism Index fell to 89.4 in February, the 26th consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. Twenty-three percent of small business owners said inflation was their top business problem, up three points from last month and replacing labor quality as their top concern. Inflation is down from its peak but remains elevated. Prices rose 0.4% from January to February, up from the previous month’s 0.3% pace, the Labor Department said a week ago.