Small business optimism rose to 96.1 in August from 95.7 in July, according to the National Federation of Independent Business' monthly Small Business Optimism index.
The reading was the second highest since October 2007.
"The four 'hard' measures (job creation plans, job openings, capital spending plans and inventory investment plans) were collectively unchanged, and the other 6 components added to the Index a bit to produce a modest gain," according to the release.
"Expectations are still glum, although improving grudgingly. More owners still think business conditions will be worse in six months than think they will be better. Few see the current period as a good time to expand," said NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg. "The outlook for improvements in real sales volumes faded. Interest in borrowing continues to remain at record low levels; owners are satisfied with inventories and aren't planning a lot of investment. There is still no evidence that we are about to ramp up spending and hiring to "3 percent" GDP growth levels."
