U.S. small business confidence rises

BUFFALO GROVE -- The Small Business Research Board's U.S. Small Business Confidence Index increased to 43.67 in the first quarter of 2008, an upturn of nearly 10 points, or 29.5 percent, from the previous quarter, according to a report issued Friday. Businesses in the Midwest and the South -- the same regions that provided the foundation for optimism in the first half of 2007 when the SBCI rose from 41 to 46 -- remain consistent with the national average. Each national region reported slight increased confidence indexes looking forward to a better economy and revenue, compared to the previous report.