The Port of Los Angeles handled a record 1,042,652 twenty-foot equivalent units in September, marking the busiest month in its 118-year history as rising imports helped cap unprecedented quarterly and four-month cargo totals. Throughput exceeded the previous monthly record, set in July 2025, by more than 20,000 TEUs. The port handled nearly 3 million TEUs from July through September, its busiest quarter, and nearly 4 million TEUs from June through September, its strongest four-month stretch. Port Executive Director Gene Seroka in a media briefing attributed the cargo surge to resilient consumer demand, inventory replenishment and shippers allocating more freight to Los Angeles amid challenges along other global trade routes.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.7 points in July to 100.3, slightly above the 52-year average of 98. Contributing most to the rise in the Optimism Index were respondents reporting better business conditions and reporting that it is a good time to expand. In contrast to the Optimism Index, the Uncertainty Index increased by eight points from June to 97. Twenty-one percent of small business owners reported labor quality as their single most important problem, up five points from June and ranking as the top problem. Optimism rose slightly in July with owners reporting more positive expectations on business conditions and expansion opportunities. While uncertainty is still high, the next six months will hopefully offer business owners more clarity, especially as owners see the results of Congress making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent and the final shape of trade policy. Meanwhile, labor quality has become the top issue on Main Street again. The NFIB Research Foundation has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since the 4th quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. Survey respondents are drawn from NFIB’s membership. The report is released on the second Tuesday of each month. This survey was conducted in July 2025.