Small Businesses’ Confidence Hits Three-Year High

A survey released Tuesday showed that confidence among small businesses hit a three-year high, Bloomberg reported.

The National Federation of Independent Business optimism index rose to 94.1 in January, the highest since the recession began in December 2007 as the outlook for sales and profits improved, the group said Tuesday.

The reading was lower than the average 100.7 during the last expansion that started in November 2001, Bloomberg reported.

Small businesses are defined as independent enterprises that employ up to 500 people.