UPS Survey Shows Small Businesses Optimistic About Future

A survey sponsored by UPS Inc. shows that small business owners are optimistic about the financial future, despite harsh economic times, the company said Wednesday.

The UPS Business Monitor, conducted in September and October 2008, showed that 91% of small business owners expected their companies to be in the same or better financial shape in a year. The survey was again conducted in December, when 86% of business owners responded affirmatively to the same question, UPS said.

UPS called that difference “only a small decline” in its announcement of the results.

In the earlier survey, 47% of respondents said that the U.S. economy would begin to improve in 2010 or later; that number climbed to 67% in December.

The survey also showed that small business owners whose businesses conduct international trade were more confident of the company’s financial future, UPS said.

UPS is ranked No. 1 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.