The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released its small-business optimism index for the U.S. on Tuesday. The index increased to 96.1 in September from 95.9 in August.
7 of 10 subindexes rose last month, while three fell.
"Small business optimism continues to be stagnant, which is consistent with the expected economic growth of about 2.5 percent," NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said.