American businesses are facing higher operating costs and weaker outlooks as the war in Iran continues to disrupt energy markets and supply chains. Economists say rising fuel prices, transportation expenses and materials costs are feeding through production systems, tightening margins across a wide range of industries.
A Business Conditions Survey released by the National Association for Business Economics found that nearly half of respondents said the war has negatively affected their businesses. About 44% reported higher input costs compared with six months earlier, while none of the respondents reported lower costs.
