Experian Small Business Index Rises in September

The Experian Small Business Index™ shows a modest rebound, improving 4.6 points month-over-month. August 2025 Index Value (Aug): 37.4 Previous Month: 32.8 MoM: +4.6 YoY: -8.8 (Aug 2024 = 46.2) The Experian Small Business Index™ rebounded in August, up 4.6 points to 37.4. After slowing in the first half of the year, early data suggests the US economy is set to expand at a solid rate in the third quarter. The Fed cut interest rates by 25bp and signaled two additional 25bp cuts by the end of the year, which should help stimulate economic growth. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased slightly in August to 100.8 from 100.3, the highest level since January 2025, on forecasts of better-than-expected growth in the upcoming months. However, the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment continued to decline, as unemployment edged up slightly and job growth has been weak. Entrepreneurs continue to see this as a good time to start a business, with 474K new businesses launched in August, up from 471K in July. Explore Experian Small Business Index Related Posts

The Experian Small Business Index™ declined month-over-month by almost 12 points. July 2025 Index Value (Jul): 32.8 Previous Month: 44.7 MoM: -11.9 YoY: -16.8 (Jul 2024 = 49.6) The Experian Small Business Index™ declined in July to 32.8, down 11.9 points. Small businesses still look healthy, but business owners are starting to show some stress in their consumer credit profiles. The primary driver was tighter lending conditions, which reduced approval rates and increased delinquencies for consumers. Pressure has built on the small business owner due to rising student loan defaults and a softer labor market, which is beginning to erode consumer credit health. Inflation has remained even, with slight upticks in some sectors and slight decreases in others. Rent inflation continues a downward trend; it was 3.8% in June, down from 3.9% in May. Producer price inflation was also down 0.4 points to 2.3%, reaching its lowest level since September 2024. Some sectors had inflation rise, with food inflation up slightly from May to 3.0% from 2.9%, overall inflation was up 2.7% in June from 2.4% in May, and core inflation increased from 2.8% in May to 2.9% in June. The savings rate decreased to 4.5% in May, down from 4.9% in April, as consumers continue to spend. Explore Experian Small Business Index Related Posts

The Experian Small Business Index™ was stable month-over-month, with a slight decrease to 44.7 in June. June 2025 Index Value (Jun): 44.7 Previous Month: 45.2 MoM: -0.5 YoY: -10.7 (Jun 2024 = 55.4) The index has evened out and remains relatively stable as the economy continues to operate on sound footing. Unemployment remains low and hourly wages continue to increase, and the economy added 147K jobs in June, a slight increase over May. Consumers are optimistic, and sentiment increased to 60.7, up from 52.2 in May. Small business optimism was steady at 98.6 in June, 0.2 points lower than May. Consumers continue their trend of starting new businesses, with 457K launched in June, a 2.2% increase over May. Inflation has remained even, with slight upticks in some sectors and slight decreases in others. Rent inflation continues a downward trend; it was 3.8% in June, down from 3.9% in May. Producer price inflation was also down 0.4 points to 2.3%, reaching its lowest level since September 2024. Some sectors had inflation rise, with food inflation up slightly from May to 3.0% from 2.9%, overall inflation was up 2.7% in June from 2.4% in May, and core inflation increased from 2.8% in May to 2.9% in June. The savings rate decreased to 4.5% in May, down from 4.9% in April, as consumers continue to spend. Explore Experian Small Business Index