U.S. small business confidence rebounded in May, but worries about the economy's outlook and inflation remained, according to a survey released on Tuesday that also showed businesses still eager to hire more workers, Reuters reported. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said its Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.4 point to 89.4 last month. It was the 17th straight month that the index stayed below the 49-year average of 98. The share of owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months slipped one point to a net negative 50%. A net negative 21% expected higher inflation-adjusted sales, down two points from April. Twenty-five percent of small business owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem, up two points from April. The share was, however, 12 points lower than last July's peak, which was the highest reading since the fourth quarter of 1979.
