60 Minutes · Small business optimism impacted by global events

1. 1. Small business optimism remains below average, rising just 0.1 points in April.
2. 2. Global geopolitical events like tariffs, war, and surging gas prices fuel small business uncertainty.
3. 3. Small business owners are primarily concerned about inflation, labor quality, and persistent tax issues.
4. 4. Retail spending cooled in April as consumers pull back to afford higher energy costs.
5. 5. Sustained uncertainty keeps small business optimism below average, impacting consumer confidence levels.