美国小企业乐观度在9月降至三个月低点，原因是经济预期恶化，且认为是扩张良好时机的企业比例减少。
US small-business optimism fell to a three-month low in September as economic expectations dimmed and a smaller share of firms indicated it was a good time to expand.
全美独立企业联合会指数根据周二发布的数据下降0.8点至97.9。构成该指数的10个分项中有6项下降，3项上升，1项持平。不确定性指标也有所上升。
The National Federation of Independent Business index slipped 0.8 point to 97.9, according to data out Tuesday. Six of the 10 components that make up the gauge declined, while three rose and one held steady. A measure of uncertainty crept higher as well.
预期商业状况将改善的企业主净占比下降4个百分点至四个月低点6%。
The net share of owners who expect business conditions to improve declined 4 percentage points to a four-month low of 6%.
持续的价格压力继续对小企业造成影响，因为中东冲突和俄乌战争导致能源成本居高不下。根据NFIB的数据，上个月有20%的企业表示通胀是他们面临的最大问题，这一比例几乎是历史平均值7%的三倍。
Persistent price pressures continue to weigh on small businesses as military conflict in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war keep energy costs high. Last month, 20% of businesses said inflation was their single biggest problem, nearly three times the historical average of 7%, according to NFIB.
有净31%的企业计划在未来三个月提高自身价格，而8月和7月这一比例为28%。
A net 31% plan to raise their own prices in the next three months, up from 28% in August and July.
在通胀顽固且借贷成本居高不下的情况下，小企业对扩张更加谨慎。资本支出计划降至三个月低点。
With inflation stubborn and borrowing costs elevated, small businesses are more cautious about expanding. Capital spending plans dropped to a three-month low.
“小企业主在解读成本上升、利率上升以及寻找合格员工困难如何影响他们的业务时，正谨慎行事，”NFIB首席经济学家比尔·邓肯伯格在一份声明中表示。
“Small-business owners are proceeding with caution as they interpret how rising costs, interest rates, and the difficulty in finding qualified employees are impacting their business,” NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said in a statement.
有26%的企业表示劳动力质量或可用性是他们面临的最重要问题，这一比例较8月上升了3个百分点。
Some 26% of firms, up 3 percentage points from August, said labor quality or availability was their single most important problem.