Confidence among small businesses is improving, according to the Small Firms Association (SFA). The body, which is part of the business representative organisation Ibec, said four out of 10 small firms rate their businesses as “good” or “very good” over the next three months

“Business confidence levels for the first quarter of 2013 have improved compared to this time last year. While domestic sales remain slow, there are increasing signs of stabilisation and business activity shows positive increases in the coming months, “ said SFA director Avine McNally.

The results show that 30 per cent of respondents rate the current overall business environment as poor or very poor, a drop of 20 per cent compared with 12 months ago. Some 23 per cent of respondent companies rate the overall business environment to be either very good or good. The outlook over the next three months is positive, with one in four small firms expecting their business to be very good or good in three months time.