New York, Oct. 13 -- Optimism among small businesses in the United States fell below its 52-year average in September as business owners faced rising uncertainty, persistent inflation and difficulties in finding qualified workers, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) report.

The report highlighted that out of the index's 10 components, three improved, six declined, and one remained unchanged. Worsening expectations about business conditions and a decline in the number of owners who considered it a good time to expand contributed the most to the fall.

The report said, "The Small Business Optimism Index for September was 97.9, down 0.8 points from August and dropping below its 52-year average of 98.0".

The ...