Small business owners most optimistic since 2008, Wells Fargo says

Small business owners are the most optimistic about their finances and hiring prospects than they've been since July 2008, according to a Wells Fargo-Gallup survey released Tuesday.

The results was compiled from telephone interviews with 600 small business owners between Jan. 9 and Jan. 13, and covers their expectations for the coming 12 months.

Among the survey's findings:

• 49 percent of owners expect revenues to increase, up from 37 percent in October.
• 22 percent expect the number of jobs at their business to increase, up from 15 percent.
• The overall Small Business Index score increased to 15, from -3 in October.

The index based on the owner's opinion of the business's present condition remained negative, at -6, though that is up from -11 in October.